The bodies of four residents from Lel Kaing village in Ywangan Township, southern Shan State, were discovered on the night of February 9 after they were abducted by an unidentified armed group, heightening concerns over deteriorating security in the area.

According to a local resident who spoke to SHAN, the victims were found in a forested area north of Lel Kaing village. Their bodies reportedly bore knife wounds.

“They were found at the forest edge north of the village. Abducting and killing people without any apparent reason like this is horrific. I heard there were knife wounds on the bodies. It’s unclear whether they were killed for political reasons or due to a personal grievance. Armed groups are acting with impunity,” the local man said.

The victims were identified as U San Shwe Myint (54), U Kyaw Moe Thu (43), Ma Wai Su Hlaing (44), and a 63-year-old man whose name has not yet been confirmed. They were reportedly taken around 10:00 p.m. during the last week of January by an unidentified armed group dressed in civilian clothing.

Residents say they do not know who is responsible. Locals in Ywangan speculate that the perpetrators could be members of the People’s Defense Force (PDF) or Pyu Saw Htee militias aligned with the military council, but no group has claimed responsibility.

A local woman described the growing climate of fear in the township.

“Now we fear anyone carrying a weapon. Abducting and killing people over a grievance like this is terrifying. It is not easy for civilians to survive between these armed groups while living in constant fear. We don’t even know what will happen tomorrow,” she said.

Ywangan Township remains a contested area where multiple armed actors operate simultaneously. The Danu State National Defence Army (DSNDA), the Danu People’s Liberation Army (DPLA), the military council and its Pyu Saw Htee militias, and the Pa-O National Organization (PNO) all maintain territorial influence in different parts of the township.

The killings add to a pattern of unresolved abductions in the area. On June 11, 2025, three General Administration Department (GAD) staff members were abducted along the Taunggyi–Ywangan road. To date, no armed group has publicly acknowledged responsibility for their disappearance.

Residents warn that the absence of accountability and the presence of multiple armed groups have created an environment in which civilians are increasingly vulnerable, with no clear authority able or willing to guarantee their safety.