The abbot of a monastery in Kyauk Kwin village, Hpapun Township, Karen State, has passed away following an unprovoked aerial bombardment by the military council forces. According to local residents, the incident occurred on the evening of March 5th when military aircraft attacked the monastery without any ongoing conflict in the area. During this attack, Venerable Bhaddanta Visuddha was struck by bomb fragments and passed away, while two other monks sustained serious injuries. The military’s aerial assault came without warning to the monks residing in the monastery, demonstrating a complete disregard for religious institutions and civilian safety.
Local sources confirmed that the injured monks were immediately transported to Hpa-an for emergency medical treatment due to the severity of their injuries. The funeral ceremony for Venerable Bhaddanta Visuddha was held on March 6th, as confirmed by local residents. The monastery suffered extensive damage during the attack, with significant destruction to its buildings, monks’ quarters, and religious artifacts. Community members pointed out that this deliberate targeting of religious structures by the military council violates international humanitarian law and represents a serious affront to Buddhist religious beliefs. The military council has a documented history of targeting civilian infrastructure, including monasteries, schools, and hospitals.
The attack on Kyauk Kwin monastery occurred in a period of relative calm with no active fighting in the area, highlighting the military council’s continued aggressive actions against civilian targets. The incident has caused significant distress among the local population, who view the monastery as both a religious sanctuary and a central part of their community. The military council’s use of airstrikes against civilian and religious targets represents an escalation in their campaign of violence against the people of Myanmar, demonstrating a pattern of behavior that shows complete disregard for civilian lives and religious institutions. The loss of the venerable abbot and the injuries sustained by other monks have deeply affected the local Buddhist community, who continue to face ongoing threats and violence from military forces.
