Gunmen killed five members from the same family in northern Shan State, including a twelve-year-old.

Ko Myo, from Volunteers Without Borders, a local civil society group, told SHAN that two men, two women and a boy were murdered in the jungle near Koong Moung, located in Hsipaw township.

Ko Myo confirmed they had been shot after police contacted him to pick up their bodies near their village at 9 am today (April 9).

At the time of press, it’s unclear who killed the family.

 “There are many narco-traffickers and illicit drug users in the area (where the family were killed),” said Sai Sai, from Hsipaw town. “Normally, villagers don’t go there,” he said, explaining that in the past locals have asked authorities to do something about the rampant violence and crime affecting the region.

Many have been shot but their killers have never been arrested.

“We’ve picked up at least 18 people from Koong Moung that were killed, including the latest 5 victims,” Ko Myo said.

SHAN called the Hsipaw police station but couldn’t find an officer to comment on the case.

On January 24, two men and a woman were killed in the same area. Two men were shot on January 11. Last year, three men were shot on December 28.

The Burma Army, several ethnic armed organizations and People’s Militia Forces all maintain soldiers in Hsipaw township.