SAGAING DIVISION- The junta army shot and killed 4 locals and spread false information that they were PDF members, according to an official from the Sagaing People’s Defense Force. He also mentioned that at least 25 houses were burned down by the Junta army.
On January 13, at around 3:00 a.m., junta troops shot and killed two civilians from Talaisin village on the Sagaing-Ming Kun road. Then they were spreading false information saying those civilians were PDFs laying mines on their way.
Similarly, on January 12, on Sagaing-Minkon Road, 2 civilians were shot and killed near Lepan village. Later, they spread misinformation, that those people were setting landmines, through military lobby (social media) channels.
“Junta shot and killed 2 civilians of Talaisin on the Sagaing-Minkun road and distributed false information as they were PDF members. The names of the victims are not yet known but they are civilians and not PDF members. Also, two others were killed near Lepan village in similar situation. A resident of Lepan village was hit by a large weapon and died. Junta army also burned down 25 houses in the village. Talaisin village is a stop just before reaching Minkon Town. Currently, residents dared not return home to the villages (nearby),” explained an official from the Sagaing PDF.
In Sagaing Township, the 33rd Division has been patrolling in a column; launching offensives, demining on the roads, and ambush patrolling in a stepping-up manner. A Sagaing Scout on Military News stated that during such junta patrols, civilians were being shot and killed continuously.
“In Sagaing Township, junta columns often came out and patrolled, clearing the way, demining and setting up hidden sentries. Traveling at night is difficult. Junta soldiers even opened fire in the early hours past curfew (when seeing moving things), ” explained a source from Sagaing Scout on Military News.
