Artillery shells fired by the Military Council have caused damage to a monastery and several houses in Taung Methin Village, located in Panglaung Township, Taunggyi District, Shan State.

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According to a resident of Panglaung Township, the ongoing conflict between the Military Council and the People’s Defense Forces (PDF) in Panglaung Township and Paikhun (aka Pekon) Township has been intense for nearly two months, with the Military Council indiscriminately firing artillery shells on a daily basis.

“The military is firing artillery shells almost every day. In Taung Methin, houses and monasteries were damaged by the military firing artillery shells. We cannot ascertain the exact extent of the damage as we are unable to access the area,” he said.

Currently, the Military Council is primarily relying on artillery shells to conduct their attacks, and the conflict remains intense.

Khun Bway Hone, who is responsible for news and information at the Pa-O National Defense Force (PNDF KK), stated that the Military Council and the People’s Defense Force continue to engage in daily combat up to the present day.

“The intensity of the conflict remains high, with the Military Council continuing to launch artillery shell attacks in recent days. These shells have caused damage to nearby villages and monasteries. Currently, their primary mode of attack is through the use of artillery shells, and they have also been conducting surveillance operations. While they have not yet resorted to air strikes,” said Khun Bway Hone.

On March 11, the Military Council conducted a raid on Nam Neing Village in Panglaung Township, resulting in the destruction of the village monastery and the deaths of 22 local individuals, including several monks.

As a result of the ongoing conflict, the residents of Saung Pyaung, Nam Neing, and Taung Methin villages in Panglaung Township have been displaced for two months and are unable to return to their homes.

According to the person providing assistance to the internally displaced persons (IDPs), there are currently approximately 6,000 IDPs in Panglaung Township, with a total of 14 IDP camps set up to accommodate them.

“The IDPs are still located in Panglaung Township and are unable to return home. The number of IDPs in the area remains at over 5,000 to 6,000 as before. The majority of them are currently being housed in monasteries and temples, with approximately 14 IDP camps also established,” he said.

The Military Council and the People’s Defense Forces (PDF) are currently engaged in combat in South Salong, North Salong, and Khaungei Village, which are situated on the border between Panglaung Township and Paikhun Township.