RAKHINE STATE – The heavy artillery strikes by junta light infantry 209 under Division 22 stationed at Thonesethabon Pagoda Hill in Buthidaung Township around 8:30 p.m. on December 28 killed four civilians and heavily wounded four.
The deceased have been identified as Mr. Zafot (60) from Zeditaung Village in Buthidaung Township and his children: Mr. Mamauh Tami (25), Mr. Swe Tami (18) and Ms. Aji Ta (14) while two more of his children, Ms. Maji Ta (10) and Mr. Rohfi (7), were heavily injured alongside Mr. Tawha (15), the son of Mr. Chaunchu Arlaun, and a 30 year old man.
Locals reported that the light infantry 209 of the terrorist junta council stationed at the pagoda hill fired nearly 20 rounds of heavy artillery into Zeditaung Village and surrounding villages on December 28 night.
One such shell landed and exploded in the house of Mr. Zafot, setting the whole house ablaze and killing four of the six family members sleeping inside.
Of the four deceased, only the body of Mr. Zafot was reportedly recovered while the other three were lost in the flames.
The two surviving children: Ms. Maji Ta (10) and Mr. Rohfi (7) were said to be in critical condition while the teenaged Mr. Tawha from the neighbouring house and a 30 year old man were also injured.
Since the resurgence of battles between the Arakan Army (AA) and the terrorist junta council in Rakhine State on November 13, the junta council has been intentionally targeting the civilians in towns and villages using heavy artillery, small weapons, warships, drones, attack helicopters and fighter jets, almost daily.
On December 28 alone, the reckless shelling of the junta council killed seven civilians and injured at least 21 in Mrauk U and Buthidaung Townships.