A spokesperson from the Chin Defense Force – East has confirmed that an 88-year-old elderly woman was killed and a 20-year-old woman was injured when the military council conducted a drone strike on Naung village in Ngape Township, Magway Region. The attack occurred on July 18 at 11:00 AM when military forces launched two bombs via drone on Naung village, which is located approximately 3,000 meters from the air defense base at Natteikan strategic hill in Ngape Township.
One of the bombs directly hit and exploded on a house, resulting in the immediate death of the 88-year-old elderly woman who was residing there. A 20-year-old woman also sustained injuries in the attack. The house that was directly hit was completely destroyed, while several nearby houses suffered damage from bomb fragments. The second bomb exploded in an area outside the village. The attack has caused significant damage to civilian properties and resulted in civilian casualties.
Officials from the Chin Defense Force – East reported that they have provided as much assistance as possible to the family of the deceased elderly woman and those who were injured. They stated that the military council deliberately targeted the civilian residential area with drone strikes despite there being no active fighting at the time. The defense force strongly condemned the military council’s brutal attacks on innocent civilians, issuing a statement expressing their deep condolences to the family and relatives of those who lost their lives, while denouncing the military council’s war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Due to months-long conflicts in the Natteikan area, the military council frequently conducts airstrikes and artillery attacks in the region. However, because there had been no casualties in previous incidents, local residents had become somewhat less vigilant. The Chin Defense Force has urged residents to exercise extreme caution when they hear aircraft or drone sounds in the future, emphasizing the importance of maintaining heightened awareness for their safety. The incident highlights the ongoing pattern of military council attacks on civilian areas and the continuing threat to civilian lives in the region.
