The resident monk Venerable Bhaddanta Visudha of the monastery in Kyauk Kwin village, Hpapun Township, Karen State, passed away following an aerial attack by the military council forces on the evening of March 5. Local residents confirmed that the attack occurred without any ongoing conflict in the area, with the military aircraft suddenly bombing and strafing the monastery with machine gun fire.
The aerial assault by the military council forces not only resulted in the death of the resident monk Venerable Bhaddanta Visudha but also caused injuries to two other monks. The injured monks, who sustained severe wounds, were transported to Hpa-an city for medical treatment, according to local sources. Additionally, the Kyauk Kwin monastery suffered extensive damage from the bombing. The funeral ceremony for the deceased Venerable Bhaddanta Visudha was held on March 6.
Local residents point to this incident as another example of the military council’s deliberate targeting of innocent civilians and religious sites. They criticize the military council for conducting aerial attacks on areas where there is no active conflict, resulting in casualties among innocent civilians and monks, as well as damage to religious buildings. The attack has caused significant concern among the local community, who view it as part of the military council’s ongoing campaign of violence against civilian targets, including religious institutions that should be protected from such military actions.
