Myanmar rocket attack kills four, injured military cadets
A rocket attack orchestrated by anti-coup fighters in Myanmar has resulted in the loss of four lives and left a dozen individuals injured, including cadets hailing from the military's prestigious officer academy.
The incident, which unfolded in the central town of Pyin Oo Lwin, has drawn condemnation from Myanmar's military authorities who perceive it as a deliberate assault on civilians.
Since the coup d'état in 2021, the military junta has been engaged in fierce battles with various resistance groups across Myanmar, suffering significant casualties in recent confrontations.
The assailants, identified as members of a local "people's defence force" (PDF), described as civilian pro-democracy factions actively opposing the military rule, purportedly launched a barrage of rockets on Sunday evening. The indiscriminate attack targeted vital establishments including a hospital, monastery, and hotel, resulting in casualties that include two revered monks.
Confirming the severity of the situation, junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun disclosed that three cadets from the esteemed academy sustained injuries during the assault. A spokesperson representing the Mandalay PDF claimed responsibility for the attack, asserting that their objective was solely aimed at the military academy.
Last week witnessed a significant setback for the military regime as their forces were ousted from a pivotal trade hub near the Thai border following prolonged skirmishes with ethnic minority armed factions and other anti-junta insurgents.
The military's grip on power, established following the ousting of the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, has been marred by relentless resistance, leading to widespread civilian casualties. According to the local monitoring group AAPP, the crackdown on dissent has claimed the lives of over 4,800 civilians.