Kantarawaddy Times
On December 28, the day the military junta held its (so-called sham) election, the junta shelled an area in eastern Loikaw Township with heavy weapons, resulting in civilian casualties, according to local residents.
“They fired around 9:20 a.m. They fired about three rounds. Three civilians were hit. All three were men, around 30 years old,” a local man said.
While the three injured men were receiving medical treatment, one of them died, a man close to the deceased told Kantarawaddy Times.
“Three people were hit. One of them died during treatment. Of the remaining two, one was hit in the abdomen and also in the leg. The other was hit in the chest,” he said.
According to local residents, the artillery fire came from military bases near Loikaw town, although they were unable to confirm exactly which base carried out the attack.
Nationwide, the military junta was holding the first phase of its election on December 28. Local residents said that junta forces carried out the shelling even though no clashes were occurring in the area.
In addition, on election day, the junta also fired heavy weapons toward areas surrounding Loikaw town and nearby villages where civilians live.
