Junta Artillery Attack on Funeral Gathering in Kawkareik Township Kills Seven, Including Two Children

June 16, 2025

On the evening of June 12, 2025, junta forces stationed at Light Infantry Battalion No. 545 in Kyon Doe and additional troops based near the Gyaing Bridge launched an indiscriminate artillery attack that struck a civilian home in Kaw Baw village, Kawkareik Township. The house was hosting a funeral at the time of the shelling.

According to local villagers, the heavy artillery shell directly hit the house where the funeral was being held, killing seven civilians, including five members of the same family. Among the victims were two young children.

Those who lost their lives in this tragic attack include:

Daw Tu Tu, 37 years old
Ma Endra Moe, 5 years old
Maung Win Win Kyaw, 10 years old
U Sein Thaung, 41 years old
Another unidentified family member
U Linn, 45 years old, who was severely injured and later died while receiving treatment

“A heavy shell from the junta’s artillery landed right on top of the funeral house in the outskirts of Kaw Baw village. Three family members were killed instantly. Of the injured, two died on the way to the hospital, and the last one passed away upon arrival at Hpa-an General Hospital,” explained a resident who witnessed the aftermath.

In a separate incident on the same day, June 12 at around 4:25 PM, junta forces also fired artillery toward Kamarike village in northern Kawkareik Township. A local villager, U Myint Aung, 59 years old, was hit by the shelling and later died from his injuries. According to local sources HURFOM interviewed on June 13, this was another clear case of indiscriminate targeting of civilian areas.

These devastating attacks are part of a broader pattern of systematic violence committed by the junta against innocent civilians in Karen State and across the country. The targeting of a funeral, an already emotionally vulnerable moment, exemplifies the regime’s disregard for human life and dignity.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News