Heinous attack against civilians: KNLA and PDF terrorists brutally killed villagers

It has been reported that in Lapat Village, located approximately 4,000 meters west of Kyaukkyi Township, Bago Region, innocent civilians were brutally attacked without provocation by individuals claiming to be from the (Karen National Liberation Army) KNLA and (People’s Defence Force) PDF using small arms, clubs, and machetes.

As a result of this violent assault, 13 innocent civilians, including men, women, children, and elderly people, were killed, and 15 others sustained injuries. Upon learning of the incident, Tatmadaw military columns immediately carried out necessary security operations in the area and proceeded to the village to conduct inspections.

It was found that the KNLA and PDF-affiliated terrorists had entered the village around 1:00 AM on July 25, from the northwest and eastern directions, and carried out inhumane and indiscriminate attacks on the villagers including men, women, children, and the elderly with firearms and machetes.

This heinous attack resulted in the deaths of the civilians including a total of 8 men and 5 women summing up to 13 civilians and the children included one 10-month-old infant, two children aged 3, one child aged 4, one child aged 6, one child aged 7, one child aged 10, killed.

Additionally, 15 civilians were injured, including one 3-year-old child, one 10-year-old child, 3 men and 12 women. Security forces, local officials, and fellow villagers held proper funerals for the deceased in accordance with local customs and traditions.

The injured were transported to the local military medical unit for treatment. On July 27, responsible officials from the military visited the hospitalized victims, offered words of encouragement, and provided food and financial aid.

The brutal and unlawful killing of unarmed and uninvolved villagers by the so-called KNLA and PDF members, who are not engaged in any direct military conflict at the time, constitutes a war crime under the Geneva Conventions and international law.

Local residents strongly condemned and denounced this lawless, violent act. It is further reported that security forces, in collaboration with local civilians, are continuing joint security operations to identify, arrest, and take action against the perpetrators responsible for this atrocity.