A commander from the Pa-O National Organization (PNO) militia, Major Naung Sai, was killed when the Pekhon People’s Defense Force conducted a drone strike against Myanmar military council forces and PNO militia who were burning and destroying Saung Nan Khe village in Pekhon Township, located on the border of Shan State and Karenni State. The attack, which occurred on June 26, also left five PNO members severely wounded.
Saung Nan Khe village, a small community of approximately 80 households, has been under attack since June 23 when military council forces launched an offensive into the area. The military forces have been systematically burning homes and looting civilian properties. Currently, almost the entire village has been destroyed by fire. This marks the second time the military council forces have burned the village, and they have also been conducting airstrikes in the area.
According to the Information and Communication Officer of the Pekhon PDF (Battalion 1006), daily clashes continue within Saung Nan Khe village. On June 25, the military council conducted two separate aerial bombing raids on the area. The civilians in Pekhon Township have been facing war crimes and acts of violence perpetrated by both the military council forces and PNO militia groups.
The Pekhon People’s Defense Forces are prioritizing civilian security in their operations and have issued warnings to help protect local residents from artillery strikes and aerial attacks by the military council. Local civilians have been urged to maintain military and security awareness and to follow the guidelines issued by the People’s Defense Forces. The ongoing conflict has highlighted the military council’s continued use of violence against civilian populations, including the destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure.
