A resistance checkpoint near Kawtdun village, Kyaikmaraw Township, Mon State, came under drone attack by the Junta Commission on the afternoon of September 2, resulting in the death of a civilian traveler and injuries to several others, according to local eyewitnesses.
The incident occurred around 4 p.m. when four bombs were dropped from a junta-operated drone targeting the resistance checkpoint at the entrance road to Kawtdun village. A passenger vehicle traveling from Payathonzu and a private car passing through the area were struck during the attack.
Although resistance fighters managed to avoid casualties, one civilian passenger was killed when a bomb hit the vehicle, while at least four others were injured, a local driver reported on social media.
“Today, just outside Kawtdun near Kawpanot junction, we were hit by a drone strike. My car was badly damaged but luckily no one inside was hurt. The car in front of me was not so lucky, one person died, and the vehicle was destroyed. I survived by sheer luck,” said the driver.
Those injured were taken to a nearby hospital with assistance from local charity groups.
Residents noted that the attack followed a drone strike by resistance forces on a junta checkpoint near Kawtdun on September 1. In response, the junta has reinforced security around the Sa Bal Cave bridge area.
A local from Kyaikmaraw said, “after the resistance used drones against them, the junta troops strengthened their presence near Sa Bal Cave on September 2 evening. Villagers already felt something was coming. We also see soldiers disguising themselves as civilians, moving around by boat.”
Travelers have been warned to avoid unnecessary journeys along the road near Kawtdun, with local drivers urging caution due to the heightened risk of clashes.
In addition to reinforcing Sa Bal Cave bridge, the junta has also increased troop deployments in the Pya Taung area, raising fears among residents. However, no mass displacement has been reported so far.
According to the local sources, more than half of the residents from Kawtdun and Kawtpanaw villages had already relocated to town areas after intense fighting between the junta and allied resistance forces in 2024.
