SHAN STATE: The junta’s artillery unit from the religious land of the replica of Shwedagon pagoda near Htantsant cave, Hopong township, Southern Shan state is said to be firing heavy artillery to the nearby villages, referenced to the ground information source.
The sound of firing heavy artillery could be heard from Loilem, Panlong which caused the local civilians from those regions to be afraid of spreading the war into their areas.
The junta’s forces have been stationing at the religious land and firing two mortars into the villages from the east of Htantsant such as Hsanhpoo, Pangoak, Sayngar and the villages of Sahnin, Lwemaw and Maenaetaung for three days.
The situation caused the blockage of Taunggyi- Keng Tung- Monghsat road by the junta’s council and PNO.
Though the junta’s checkpoint at the (4) miles entrance of Taunggyi and Hopong Checkpoint were closed, the cars of the junta’s supporters and the local residents of Hopong were allowed to pass after being inspected.
On Taunggyi- Keng Tung- Monghsat road, the cars from Hopong, Mong Pawn, Loilem, Nangsang have been stuck and some returned to the cities they have departed.
The petrol from Taunggyi is not available, which resulted in difficulties of fuelling the stuck cars. The drivers of the cars which are stuck in Mong Pawn have been helped by the local people providing the safe houses but they are experiencing the shortage of money.
The junta’s airstrike to NangBawkham village, Nangyang village tract, Loilem township caused the houses to be destroyed though the villagers could flee for their lives.
The members of the junta’s council are firing heavy artillery, stationing at the football field of Hsaikkhaung, Kyuhmone village and now on the religious land of Hopong Shwedagon pagoda compound, which have caused 7 religious buildings to be destroyed.