Local residents in Hpakant Township, Kachin State, have reported that three civilians from Taung Ya Kone village were brutally killed by the military, bringing the total death toll from military attacks to 26 people. On June 13, military council troops advancing from Maw Si Za Pagoda Hill conducted operations in Taung Ya Kone village, where they committed horrific acts of violence against three civilians. According to local sources, one victim was dismembered, another had their eyes gouged out, and the third victim’s head was beaten beyond recognition. The military disposed of the bodies at the Lon Chin cemetery.
The military council also detained approximately 50 civilians from Taung Ya Kone village to use as human shields. The troops conducted operations through Taung Ya Kone, Tha Ya Kone, and the dump site areas before entering Hpakant town with approximately 50 soldiers. While some of the detained civilians have been released, the majority remain in military custody. On June 12 at 6:00 AM, the military also shot and killed three civilians near the Maw Si Za intersection near their base at Maw Si Za Pagoda Hill.
The military council forces began entering Hpakant Township in late May and have since been systematically targeting and killing civilians. As of June 14, local residents confirm that the death toll from military attacks has reached 26 people. The military’s brutal campaign has included systematic violence against civilians, with local residents strongly condemning these acts of brutality against the civilian population. The military’s actions in the area have created an atmosphere of terror, with ongoing operations continuing to threaten the safety and security of local residents.
