Local residents report that a 13-year-old fifth-grade student was killed when an artillery shell fired by the Northern Command Headquarters exploded in Myitkyina, Kachin State. The incident occurred around 6:30 PM on August 24, when the artillery shell fired from the Northern Command Headquarters landed and exploded in the Ram Pu Section 12 area of Myitkyina city. The explosion killed student Ma Yu Thanzar Khaing, who was studying at the time, and injured two other adults.
According to a local resident, the artillery shell landed and exploded in front of U Naing Soe’s house near U Pain Bridge in Ram Pu Area 12. Ma Yu Thanzar Khaing (also known as Chit Su Ma), aged 13, was struck by shell fragments that pierced her left chest, causing immediate death. Additionally, Ma Zin Min, aged 20, was hit by shell fragments, and Daw Ngwe, aged 65, sustained injuries to her arm from mine fragments. Local residents believe the artillery shell may have deviated from its intended trajectory.
The artillery explosion caused significant damage to local residents’ homes, motorcycles, and other valuable property. Residents report that the military frequently fires artillery from Myitkyina city toward the Waingmaw area. Local residents point out that these artillery attacks resulting in civilian casualties and deaths serve as further evidence of the military’s brutality. The incident has heightened concerns among local residents about the ongoing indiscriminate use of heavy weapons in civilian areas by the military forces.
