Junta’s airstrikes on No-2 border police battalion in Maungdaw, over 50 killed, many injured

Naung Min Thu, Narinjara News, 10 September 2024

The junta forces carried out airstrikes on 2nd border guard police battalion (NaKhaKha-2) in 4-mile of  Maungdaw town, which was occupied by the Arakan Army (AA) fighters. The attack, conducted by two jet fighters, resulted in the death of more than 50 people, including prisoners of war and civilian inmates, with many others injured.

According to a statement issued by the AA, two airstrikes were conducted by jet fighters on 9 September at around 9:30 pm. The casualties included prisoners of war and civilian inmates temporarily detained at NaKhaKha-2 base in Arakan State.

The deceased included:

1. Prisoners of war captured during the battle for Maungdaw

2. Members of ARSA and RSO terrorist groups

3. Armed forces trained by the fascist military junta

4. Allies of the fascist military junta

5. Informers trained by the military junta

6. Individuals under arrest for attempting to disrupt and undermine the ULA/AA and the Arakan national revolution.

7. People associated with the ALP.

8. Individuals arrested following suspicions activities

The AA statement noted that many injured individuals are in critical condition.

The junta's two jet fighters conducted the airstrikes on their return, causing bombs to explode in the dormitories behind the NaKhaKha-2 battalion.

"They killed their own people with the airstrikes. They dropped  four bombs behind the NaKhaKha-2 battalion and destroyed several dormitories," said a military analyst.

During the battle to capture Maungdaw, many members of ARSA, RSO and ARA as well as junta forces including military-trained Muslim armed rebels, some ward & village administrators, 100-house-group elders, etc  were detained as prisoners of war by the AA fighters.

The junta soldiers conducted airstrikes after the AA fighters captured the NaKhaKha-2 battalion on 6 July.

The junta forces conducted airstrikes on Maungdaw at 3:00 pm. A house in Kaing Gyi (Arakanese) village was destroyed by artillery shells fired from navy vessels.

On the evening of 8 September, the junta soldiers conducted airstrikes on a medical center for prisoners of war and inmates in Shin village under Pauktaw township, resulting in 17 casualties and injuries to many persons.

The junta is currently targeting densely populated areas with airstrikes on hospitals, schools, markets, monasteries, churches, residential buildings, etc. The soldiers also hit the camps they abandoned and  department buildings once used by the government agencies.

So the AA asked the residents to remain cautious in those areas from probable airstrikes and also landmines.