Narinjara News, 26 October 2022

A suspected drone operatedfiring by the Burmese junta forces injured three civilians,including a 75 years old man, on a village under Buthidaung townshipof Rakhine State.

On 23 October at around 1 pm, themilitary council fired 3 bullets from a drone at the school ofButhidaung township’s Po Khao Chong (Muslim) village, where some refugee familieswere temporarily taking shelter, said a local villager.

Maung Phyo Than Chay(17),who fled from Nget Phyo Caung Rakhine village alongwitth Ko Mar Mauk Anawa (25) and U Ka Lu (75) from Pho KhaungChaung Muslim village sustained injuries in thedrone attack. Roof of the school was also damaged. TheRakhine families have left the school after the attack.

“The army personnel fired three shotsand hit a school where some IDP were taking shelter. I believethe soldiers launched the drone attack at around 1 pm froma nearby place to Ghou Tar Byint village. Those IDPs escaped the ongoingbattles between the Burmese forces and Arakan Army members,” he added.

Thevillage elders commentedthat some people in Rakhine state have lost their lives and many more injured inthe shelling attack of the army personnel from time to time. Now themilitary council has used drones for the same, which is veryunfortunate, they stated.

Earlier on 21 October, a military operated drone on a village nearto Lin Mwe Taung mountain under Mrauk U Township, where a military outpost isstationed, was hit back by three gunshots from AA members.

“At around 11 am on Sunday,a military surveillance drone hovered over a village. Three shots were firedfrom the AA base. The soldiers responded by firing with large andsmall weapons for some time,” added the villagers.

They claim that the Burmesearmy personnel know where the AA is stationed, but they don't dare tofight against the armed members. So,they target the villages with frustration, asserted thelocal residents.