- Web Master
- December 14, 2023
At around 6 pm on Wednesday, 30-year-old Ko Wai
Lwin, employed as a construction worker in an Indian port located in the east
of 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. His
injuries were severe in nature. During his cremation, we saw his wounds. No
other was injured in the incident,” he added.
Moreover at around 10 pm, a house in Yeik Khar
ward of Paletwa locality was hit by an artillery shell, leading to the tragic
death of a 15-year-old student and causing serious injuries to his parents.
Since 1 January, the Arakan Army (AA) has been
launching offensives against the junta's bases near Paletwa including the 289th
and 233rd infantry battalions.
The clashes near Paletwa continued as the junta forces
tried to resist the offensives using artillery shells and small arms. The
residents claimed that the soldiers were indiscriminately firing artillery
shells over the residential areas.
Following the disturbances, thousands of local
residents in Paletwa fled to safer locations. It began in December, said a
Paletwa resident.
"It is no longer safe for us to stay here
because 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 289th
battalion continuously fired artillery shells since the morning hours of 4
January.
Following the renewed conflicts in Paletwa, at least
five residents were killed, and over 10 people sustained injuries due to the
airstrikes and artillery-shell attacks.