Three family members killed in Myanmar junta artillery strike in Hpakant township

Mizzima

A Myanmar junta artillery strike in Hpakant Township, Kachin State, killed three members of the same family and damaged a monastery dining hall, according to local residents.

Four family members were inside their home when the shelling occurred at around 10:30 pm on 7 December. Only a seven-month-old child survived, while the other three were killed.

“The child who died was a 13-year-old boy. The seven-month-old survived and was the only one left,” a local resident told Mizzima.

Residents said troops stationed on Hpakant’s Strategic Hill fired the artillery round, which struck a home in Malong village, Lone Khin village tract (Sai Taung), killing the three family members, including the 13-year-old.

“Artillery fire from the military’s Strategic Hill position landed on the Malong side,” another local resident said.