Myanmar junta shelling reportedly killed a 15-year-old girl and wounded three teenagers in Kutkai Township, northern Shan State, on Wednesday amid fighting near the Chinese border with the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).
“A 15-year-old was killed and a 13-year-old girl and males aged 13 and 19 sustained injuries. They were treated at Kutkai hospital,” a villager said.
Residents said Light Infantry Battalion 123 shelled the village from nearby Nam Hpat Kar village.
“They should avoid attacking from residential areas to prevent civilian casualties but no one cares about us,” said a Nam Hpat Kar villager.
The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the reports.
On Tuesday, the junta shelled Nam Hpat Kar after a large number of TNLA troops arrived in the village.
“It was the first time they entered our village. We thought they were going to clash with junta troops,” a villager said.
Several houses were damaged by the shelling on Tuesday.
Two people were also injured in the shelling of Sei Lant village in Muse Township on Tuesday, villagers said.
Volunteers said at least two people were killed and five injured by junta bombardment in Kutkai Township in July.
Fighting has continued in Kutkai and Muse townships since August 25 when Light Infantry Division 99 and its militia allies advanced into the area, according to the TNLA.
The TNLA reported clashes near Kho Mone village in Kutkai and Sei Lant village and Mount Loi Tay Mein in Muse on Tuesday.
Junta bases and outposts in Muse town and Sei Lant and Nam Hpat Kar villages were ambushed by the TNLA on Tuesday, the powerful rebel army said.
Clashes near the Chinese border reportedly displaced more than 500 residents from five villages in Muse Township on Tuesday.
