“Seven individuals hurt, including the chief monk and a young child”

Maung Saga, Narinjara, 31 March 2025

The navy of the military council launched artillery shells at the village of Zin Chaung Khon Bwe in Kyauk Phyu Township, Rakhine State, resulting in the deaths of a monk and a civilian, while seven individuals, including the senior abbot and a novice monk, were injured.

The deceased monks were U Adisa (32 years old) (in his 4th year of ordination) and U Ba Jam (30 years old) from Zin Chaung Khon Bwe village.

The injured were included the monastery's abbot, U Zanita Thetaw (74 years old); monk Kyi Yin Dhammananda Thetaw (12 years old); Daw Phyo Phyo Win (31 years old); Daw Thein Han Nu (55 years old); U Maung Htun Mya (45 years old); Daw Than Than Aye (50 years old); and Ma Khin Mya Aye (16 years old).

On March 31, around 9 am, a navy vessel belonging to the military council launched three artillery shells towards Wa Nak Chaing village in Kyaukphyu Township. Local sources report that one shell struck the village, another hit the monastery's sanctuary (Dhama Hall), and the third landed in the Aung Mingalar ward.

"The gunfire occurred at approximately nine o'clock this morning. A monk was slain. The man who was killed in the assault was severed at the waist. Seven more were hurt," he stated.

The late monk, U Adisa, sustained severe injuries to his lower body from a small artillery shell and passed away en route to the emergency room for medical care.

In the same way, U Ba Jam was struck by a shell, resulting in his lower body being completely severed, leading to his immediate death.

Among the seven additional injured, the monastery's abbot, U Zanita, Kyi Yin Dhamma Nanda, Daw Phyo Phyo Win, and Daw Thein Nu Han were said to have sustained serious injuries.

The sanctuary of the monastery and several houses in the village were allegedly damaged.

On March 30, around 7 pm, it was reported that the military council dropped two drone bombs on Kulabar village in Kyaukphyu Township, causing damage to several houses, all while the people of Myanmar are enduring the effects of the earthquake.

Residents report that the military council continues to use airstrikes and heavy weaponry while the nation grieves the earthquake.