Three Civilians Shot Dead Near Maw Si Sa School

Pajau Media

June 12, 2025

At around 7:00 AM today near the Yawma junction close to Maw Si Sa School in Hpakant Township, a group of armed individuals arrived on motorcycles and shot dead three civilians who were walking along the road, according to a local eyewitness who wished to remain anonymous.

The eyewitness said, “They came on motorcycles and started shooting. I heard about four or five gunshots. When I looked, the group holding pistols had already sped away on their motorcycles. On the road, three people were lying in pools of blood.”

The three victims were reportedly between 20 and 30 years old and were laborers searching for jade residue. The reason for the shooting is still unknown, the source added.

A local resident commented on the incident, saying, “Hpakant is home to many different ethnic groups, and killings have happened frequently for a long time. There isn’t just one armed group here. Now it’s even worse, armed men in civilian clothes are shooting people in broad daylight on the roads. There are shootings here and there. There’s no rule of law anymore. Everything is chaos because of greed.”

Recent tensions between the military council and the KIA (Kachin Independence Army) in Hpakant Township have led to frequent clashes in both urban and rural areas, with regular reports of explosions and shootings.

Additionally, joint military council forces continue daily troop movements in the Hpakant area, maintaining their military presence. KIA joint forces are also active, resulting in ongoing high tensions between both sides.

Reported by – ND