A misdirected artillery fire incident in Minhla Township, Bago Region, resulted in the death of seven military council soldiers, according to local sources. The incident occurred on July 1st in the evening when military council troops stationed in Banbwekon village began firing heavy weapons at the Yoma mountain range areas where they suspected local People’s Defense Forces were taking shelter. The errant artillery fire struck their own troops who were temporarily stationed in Kywemagaing village, resulting in multiple casualties.
The incident began around 5 PM when military council soldiers from Banbwekon village, reportedly in an intoxicated state, began indiscriminately firing heavy weapons. The artillery shells landed on their own outpost in Kywemagaing village, causing an explosion that instantly killed seven of their soldiers. Following the incident, military council troops engaged in heated telephone arguments and accusations among themselves, according to local residents. Sources confirmed that the soldiers stationed in Banbwekon village were known for their daily consumption of alcohol and random firing of heavy weapons at surrounding villages.
Local sources report that the military council troops stationed in Banbwekon village regularly engage in drinking and indiscriminately fire both heavy and light weapons at nearby villages, creating a constant state of fear among local residents who live under constant threat to their lives. This friendly fire incident marks the first such occurrence in the region where military council soldiers have caused casualties among their own ranks due to their lack of discipline and reckless behavior. Local residents attribute the incident to the general misconduct and unruly behavior of the military council troops stationed in the area.
