As fighting escalates in Paikhun (aka Pekon), civilians find themselves trapped by relentless shelling and junta airstrikes that have been happening for the last few days around the town in southern Shan State, preventing them from leaving.

“The military junta’s jet fighters have been flying airstrikes in the town. Some people who came to take shelter in Paikhun are now trapped in the town,” said a man who managed to escape. He says the only other way to get people out is by a water route, but that’s too dangerous because the regime has been shelling that area.

There are about 40,000 people trapped in Paikhun. Some managed to find shelter in nearby townships of Nyaung Shwe and Panlaung or other areas where there is no fighting happening.

Violence in the town has been increasing since mid-December. Resistance groups have been fighting to force out the remaining State Administration Council (SAC) soldiers burned the police station and have already seized the Htaing Tawmu military camp in the northern section of Paikhun.

Currently, fighting is breaking out near where the Light Infantry Battalion 421 is posted. After three SAC soldiers were killed, a number of soldiers have retreated from their small outpost.

At the end of December, the resistance seized Shwe Pyi Aye and Loipater camps from the Burma army in Paikhun Township.

SAC has been frequently attacking Tawng Poegyi, Ngamuu, Semelawt, Leltun, and Soung Kan villages, situated on the eastern banks of Paikhun Lake, with artillery.