Myanmar military airstrike on Chin State village kills seven civilians, including four children

Mizzima

A deadly military airstrike targeted Kyaung Chaung village in Paletwa Township, Chin State, on the evening of 29 March, killing seven civilians.

According to a statement released by the Arakan Army (AA) on 30 March, the victims included four children under the age of 16, while four others, including an eight-month-old infant, sustained serious injuries.

At around 4:55 pm on 29 March, two Air Force jet fighters carried out multiple attacks on Kyaung Chaung village, dropping three bombs and firing rockets in at least five strikes, according to the Arakan Army (AA).

Local residents told the media there was no fighting in or around the village at the time of the attack.

Those killed in the bombing included four children: eight-year-old Maung Soe Pain Lin, 11-year-old Maung San Lin Tun, 10-year-old Maung Nay San Aung, and 16-year-old Maung Aung Su Lin.

The victims also included three adults: 33-year-old U Than Kyaw, 30-year-old U Shwe Kyaw, and 48-year-old U Aung Hla, according to the statement.

Among the four seriously injured were an eight-month-old infant, Maung Aung Hla Sein, and five-year-old Maung San Kyaw Lyan, along with two women. The attack also left many homes destroyed by fire.

Paletwa Township has been under the control of the AA since January 2024. The group condemned the attack as a brazen “war crime,” accusing the military of deliberately targeting civilians.

Relief efforts for those affected are currently being carried out by the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government (APRG), according to the statement.