A woman was killed in the gun battle that erupted inAnn township of Rakhine State on Sunday. Two other women with a man were alsoinjured due to artillery shelling.

The deceased is identified as  Daw San Hla (53years old) who hailed from Swae Chaung village under Ann township. The injuredindividuals include Maung Myint Zaw (19) and  Daw Ma Nyunt Oo (57) hailingfrom Mel Let Maung village.

A local resident reported that the artillery shell,fired by the Ann-based  373rd light infantry battalion, struck Mel LetMaung village at around 1 pm on 28 April. Two villagers namely  MaungMyint Zaw and Daw Ma Nyunt Oo were injured as their house collapsed.

"A column of junta soldiers  arrived at MelLet Maung village. The battalions stationed in Ann constantly fired artilleryshells. One of the shells hit Mel Let Maung village, causing injuries to MaungMyint Zaw and Daw Ma Nyunt Oo from shrapnel," added the resident.

An artillery shell fired by the junta forces on 26April also fell on Swae Chaung village, where the Chin people live. It resultedin the death of one local woman and injury to another. Several houses were alsodestroyed by fire, said a displaced woman from Ah Lel Chaung village of Ann.

"Around  80 houses  burned and thereare only a few houses left in the village. One woman in the village died andanother sustained injury,” added the woman.

Until 28 April, the Arakha Army (AA) fought againstthe junta soldiers near Chin villages and many residents of  Swae Chaungaround Kazu Kaing village fled to safer places.

A Chin woman informed Narinjara News that theresidents fled with only one piece of cloth and they now need support.

"Kazu Kaing village is very close to Swae Chaungvillage. The conflict spreads to the nearby areas. The fleeing junta soldiersare being pursued by the AA fighters. Many junta battalions are shelling overvillages. The villagers are fleeing the conflict areas and they are now facingdifficulties in their livelihood,” she added.

On 19 April, an artillery shell fired by the juntaforces exploded over Kyat Yae San village under Ann township. It killed  aChin man and injured a woman.

Residents of  Swae Chaung, Sin Oo Tike, Thel KanHtaunt, Gyeik Chaung and Kyauk Sin villages are currently fleeing to saferplaces due to the ongoing conflicts.

The AA fighters have besieged the western command inAnn locality and start attacking with artillery shells and drones.