Junta forcesfired artillery shells over a village under Mrauk U township of Rakhine Stateon Sunday killing three people including a five years old boy and injuring tenother individuals.

The Mrauk U-based 377 and 378^th battalionsdeliberately fired shells on Kin Sit village even though there was no fightingbetween the government forces and Arakan Army members going on.

Daw Aye Nu Yin(60) and Maung Myat Lin Thu (5) died on the spot, where U Hla Maung Thein(42) passed away in Mrauk U hospital.

"A woman anda minor died as thebattalions suddenly fired artillery shells,” said a villager.

AA membersattacked a convoy of soldiers coming from Kyauk Taw with a mine detonation nearLakka village and soon a fierce fighting broke out between the two armed groupsfor about 20 minutes on 4 pm. Later the battalions fired on several points withheavy weapons.

"Lakkavillage, where the battle took place, is about 10 miles north of Mrauk U town. But the soldiers fired shellson King Sit village, which is very far away from the battleground. They targeted the civilians intentionally," said a socialactivist.

Three artilleryshells also hit two monasteries located in Hthamarik ward injuring a monk and a civilian.

Father of thevictim child informed that eight people were injured with the shells includinga minor girl too. She has been admitted in Mrauk U district hospital.

Many familiesfrom Lakka, Bu Wratma Nyo and Outha Kan villages fled their places as the Mrauk U-based battalions fired weapons till lastnight.

On 27 August, a70-year-old woman from Min Gyi village in northern Maung Daw township was alsokilled by a shell fired by the army personnel.