A construction worker of an Indian port and a studentwere killed by the artillery shells, fired by the junta forces, on 3 January inPaletwa of Chin State.

At around 6 pm on Wednesday,  30-year-old Ko WaiLwin, employed as a construction worker in an Indian port located in the eastof Paletwa, was killed by artillery shelling.

An individual, who attended the funeral, said that Wai Lwin passed away due to severe injuries in his chest and thighs.

"He hailed from Rakhine and  left behind his wife and a child. Hisinjuries were severe in nature. During his cremation, we saw his wounds. Noother was injured in the incident,” he added.

Moreover at around 10 pm,  a house in Yeik Kharward of Paletwa locality was hit by an artillery shell, leading to the tragicdeath of a 15-year-old student and causing serious injuries to his parents.

Since 1 January, the Arakan Army (AA) has beenlaunching offensives against the junta's bases near Paletwa including the 289^th and 233^rd infantry battalions.

The clashes near Paletwa continued as the junta forcestried to resist the offensives using artillery shells and small arms. Theresidents claimed that the soldiers were indiscriminately firing artilleryshells over  the residential areas.

Following the disturbances, thousands of localresidents in Paletwa fled to safer locations. It began in December, said aPaletwa resident.

"It is no longer safe for us to  stay herebecause of the artillery shelling. So we are leaving for other places. Even the telephone lines are not working properly," he added.

Many residents claimed that the soldiers in the 289thbattalion continuously fired artillery shells since the morning hours of 4January.

Following the renewed conflicts in Paletwa, at leastfive residents were killed, and over 10 people sustained injuries due to theairstrikes and artillery-shell attacks.