Two Myanmar junta airstrikes targeted Nawnghkio town, which is held by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), in northern Shan State during the Thadingyut festival on Thursday night.
Nawnghkio residents said around seven bombs were dropped across three hours on Thursday night.
A resident told The Irrawaddy that the airstrikes targeted a checkpoint at the town’s entrance and administrative buildings.
Thadingyut is held annually to mark the end of Buddhist Lent when the Buddha is believed to have descended from heaven during the full moon.
Buddhists light their homes and streets with candles and oil lamps, releasing fire lanterns and lighting fireworks.
Several buildings were destroyed in the airstrikes but the casualties details are currently unknown.
The TNLA was unavailable for comment.
The TNLA, a member of the Brotherhood Alliance with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and Arakan Army, seized Nawnghkio town in July. The Mandalay People’s Defense Force, which fights for the civilian National Unity Government, and other groups fought alongside the TNLA.
Fighting is ongoing in Nawnghkio Township as the TNLA and its allies target the remaining junta strongholds at Taunghkam village at a gateway between northern and southern Shan State.
The TNLA on Sunday took complete control of Hsipaw Township in northern Shan State after defeating the last junta battalion headquarters outside Hsipaw town.
The Brotherhood Alliance has seized most of northern Shan State, capturing some 25 townships, including the capital Lashio and vital trade routes with China.
The Arakan Army has occupied most of Rakhine State since November last year.
After junta boss Min Aung Hlaing in early September vowed to retake lost territory with counteroffensives, his air force have escalated airstrikes on civilian targets in liberated territory across the country, especially in northern Shan and Rakhine states.
The junta conducted over 40 airstrikes in September, killing around 190 people across the country.