Four young civilians were killed and six others injured after military junta jet fighters carried out an airstrike in Letpadan Township, western Bago Region, despite no ongoing ground clashes, according to the Bago Region People’s Defence Team.
At around 11:30 am on 22 April, two junta jet fighters dropped at least 10 bombs on Won Kalay (Sar Chaung) village, near Thae Kaw Dam in the War Yone Pin Zin village tract, an official from the Bago Region People’s Defence Team told Mizzima.
“The victims were only teenagers. They were not members of the People’s Defence Force (PDF), but civilians working to support their families. There was no fighting near the village, and no revolutionary bases in the area. As usual, the military junta deliberately targeted civilians, using excessive force to spread fear,” he said.
The airstrike killed four young men instantly, all of whom made their living through fishing. The victims were aged 15, 16, 19, and 20.
The airstrike destroyed three houses. Of the six people injured, two are reported to be in critical condition. Among the wounded include two young children and two elderly individuals.
“The more the military junta suffers losses on the battlefield, the more it deliberately and indiscriminately targets civilians with airstrikes. We urge the public to remain extremely vigilant and take precautions against the threat of aerial attacks,” a spokesperson for the Bago Region People’s Defence Team said.
Human rights groups have repeatedly warned that the military junta is using excessive airpower across the country, resulting in widespread civilian casualties and significant destruction of property.
