Thinzar Nwe, NarinjaraNews, 10 June 2024

Anartillery shell struck a passenger car on the Ann-Minbu road in Arakan State onSaturday killing six people, including a female teacher and a child, andseriously injuring two others.

Thedeceased individuals are identified as Daw Ann Htwe, wife of U Kyaw Mya Than,and her niece from Auk village under  Ann township, a female teacher, a2-year-old child, and two other local women.

The driverU Ngwe Lin and Daw Ann Htwe's 7-year-old daughter sustained serious injuries.

A localresident revealed that they were returning from Minbu in a Win Shwe Sin12-seater car and their vehicle was hit by an artillery shell at around 2 pm on8 June near Kyat Yae San village.

"TheAnn-Padan-Minbu road was  opened recently by the junta forces. Manyresidents of Ann fled to the Minbu area. Later when the situation improved theystarted returning to their place. The artillery attack took place during such areturn journey of residents,” added the resident.

Thedeceased and injured individuals were taken to Padan hospital near Kyat Yae Sanvillage.

"Theywere still far from Ann town. So they were taken to Padan hospital,"stated the resident.

Recently, afierce fight broke out between the junta forces and Arakha  Army (AA)fighters in nearby areas of  Kyat Yae San village.

In April, atruck carrying four students from Yangon to avoid military engagement overturned on the Ann mountain range. Four people, including a student,died in the accident and two others were injured.