A displaced mother and daughter were killed and two other people were injured after the military junta opened fire on a vehicle carrying displaced civilians near Lay Kay village in Bilin Township, Mon State, according to the Karen National Union (KNU).
The incident occurred at around 2 p.m. on May 9 when a vehicle carrying eight displaced people, including the driver, was travelling along the road near Lay Kay Taung Gu Wa Pagoda. A military junta reinforcement column reportedly ordered the vehicle to stop before opening fire, the KNU said.
A 46-year-old displaced woman, Naw Pho Pinar, also known as Naw Phaw Eh, and her 13-year-old daughter, Naw Pan Ei Phyu, were killed at the scene during the shooting.
In addition, a 15-year-old child and another displaced civilian sustained gunshot injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.
After the shooting, military junta troops reportedly arrested the driver and three displaced men. According to a KNU statement, the driver and two displaced civilians were released on May 10, while one displaced man remains under arrest.
The KNU Thaton District said military junta troops have been carrying out daily airstrikes and mortar shell attacks in Bilin Township, causing damage to civilian homes as well as religious and educational buildings.
The military junta also reportedly entered Win Ta Pan village with reinforcement troops and set fire to civilian houses. In addition, attacks using paramotors caused multiple homes to burn down.
According to the KNU Thaton District, the military junta continues to target villages and workplaces inhabited by civilians who are not involved in the fighting.
