Gold mines in Sagaing’s Pinlebu bombed as ‘intelligence leaks’ fuel escalating airstrikes

At least four civilians were killed and four others remain missing following Myanmar Air Force strikes on gold mining sites in Maing Tone Tar Gyi village, located in Sagaing Region’s Pinlebu Township, on Tuesday.

The aerial bombardment is the latest in a series of regime air raids targeting Pinlebu which have claimed at least seven civilian lives since mid-August.

Located 190 miles (305 km) north of the regional capital Monywa, Pinlebu has been under National Unity Government (NUG) administration since October 2024.

Local search and rescue workers operating in Maing Tone Tar Gyi—situated 22 miles (35 km) northeast of Pinlebu town—warn that the casualty count may rise further as teams continue clearing debris from the targeted mining site.