The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has confirmed that the military council forces conducted an aerial attack using three chemical bombs on Taung Khan village in Naung Cho Township, Shan State. The attack occurred around 2 PM on April 5th during fighting near the military council’s Battalion 902 base camp in Taung Khan village. The military forces deployed chemical-laden bombs from aircraft during the engagement. This attack took place during a period when the military council had declared a ceasefire.
Despite the military council announcing a 20-day ceasefire from April 2nd to April 22nd, they have continued military operations in areas controlled by the Palaung State Liberation Front, including troop reinforcements, offensive operations, and aerial bombardments even in areas where there was no active fighting. Notably, the western areas of Mogok city and villages in Naung Cho Township, including Naung Lin village and Nam Saung Hu village, have been targeted by jet fighter attacks, resulting in the destruction of numerous civilian homes and properties.
It is particularly noteworthy that even during the March 28th earthquake, which was the strongest to hit Myanmar in over a century at magnitude 7.7, the military council forces continued their aerial attacks on PSLF/TNLA-controlled territories in Naung Cho Township. According to reports as of April 5th, the earthquake has resulted in 3,455 deaths, 4,840 injuries, and 220 people still missing. Despite this humanitarian crisis, the military council has not ceased its military operations and continues to conduct offensive actions against civilian areas and resistance forces.
