Hundreds of villagers were trapped by Myanmar junta air raid and ground forces in Chaung-U Township, Sagaing Region, on Tuesday, killing at least five resistance members and a teacher.
A junta Mi-17 helicopter airlifted around 70 troops in three flights to Ma Gyi Gwa village while a Mi-35 combat helicopter fired on the village on Tuesday.
Three resistance members and a female teacher died of gunshot wounds during the air raid and an attack by ground troops, Chaung-U People’s Defense Force (PDF) said.
“We can confirm at least four deaths. We cannot enter the village as junta infantry haven’t left yet,” a PDF representative said.
The three resistance members were killed by junta troops while they evacuated villagers, he added.
A skirmish also broke out with junta troops while Chaung-U PDF tried to evacuate villagers, sources said.
Ma Gyi Gwa, Min Tei and Min Khaung villages are near the Chaung-U to Pakokku road.
Sources said the death toll was expected to rise as many people remain trapped in the village.
“More than 100 people could be trapped in the villages,” a Chaung-U resistance member said.
Pro-junta Telegram channels claimed junta troops seized a resistance base near Ma Gyi Gwa village, killing at least four fighters on Tuesday.
The Irrawaddy was unable to verify the number of casualties.
On Tuesday morning, shooting broke out elsewhere in the township when junta troops in three vehicles opened fire at a resistance group which was checking vehicles on the Monywa-Mandalay road.
At least two resistance members were killed and four injured during the shooting, Chaung-U PDF said.
Another aerial attack was reported in Depayin Township, Sagaing Region, on Tuesday.
However, the number of casualties is unknown, Depayin resistance forces said.
The current junta had conducted nearly 1,000 airstrikes, killing at least 281 people across Myanmar, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reported in July.
