The abbot of a monastery in Kyauk Kwin village, Hpapun Township, Karen State, Venerable Bhaddanta Visudha, passed away following an aerial attack by the military council forces on the evening of March 5. According to local residents, the military council conducted the aerial bombardment without any ongoing battles in the area, suddenly attacking the monastery with both bombs and machine gun fire from military aircraft. The attack resulted in injuries to three monks, including the abbot who succumbed to his injuries after being hit by bomb shrapnel.
The funeral ceremony for the venerable abbot was held on March 6, while the two other injured monks were transferred to Hpa-an city for medical treatment due to the severity of their injuries. The monastery suffered extensive damage from the aerial assault. Local residents pointed out that this deliberate targeting of a monastery in an area with no active fighting serves as further evidence of the military council’s acts of terrorism. The attack has caused significant concern among the local population, who note that not even religious buildings are safe from the military council’s brutal actions.
According to a local resident, the community is living in fear following the abbot’s death, expressing deep concern for the safety of both displaced civilians and monks in the area. They worry that such targeted attacks on monasteries could lead to further deterioration of peace and stability in the region. The incident has highlighted the military council’s continued use of violence against civilian targets, including religious institutions, despite the absence of any military engagement in the area. The destruction of the monastery and the loss of the venerable abbot have created a significant impact on the local Buddhist community and further eroded any sense of security in the region.
