Junta soldiers stationed at the offices of the Chinese-owned Wanbao Mining Ltd in Salingyi Township, Sagaing Region killed a child and injured seven villagers when they fired artillery into surrounding villages.

At about midday on 15 August, the junta fired artillery shells into Paykone Village in the neighbouring Yinmarbin Township. As well as killing an 8-year-old child and injuring the villagers, the artillery damaged two houses.

“The Military Council troops repeatedly fired 120 mm mortars towards the villages. Tragically, an 8-year-old boy lost his life, and seven local residents suffered serious injuries as a result of artillery shell. Furthermore, two houses were destroyed by fire during this incident”, said a local who wished to remain anonymous.

Wanbao Mining Ltd is a Chinese company that runs three copper mines in Salingyi, Township, Letpadaung, Sabetaung, and Kyesintaung, under a revenue-sharing agreement with junta owned Myanmar Economic Holdings.

Artillery fire from the Wanbao Mining Ltd offices and No. 28 Police Battalion in Salingyi Township have caused many of the surrounding population to flee.

"They are firing heavy weapons day and night, so I am afraid to stay at home. We're fleeing because the soldiers are constantly firing on the villages”, said another local.

Junta artillery has caused more than 6,000 villagers to flee from villages in Yinmarbin Township.

The junta soldiers based at the Wanbao offices also raided the villages of Kankone and Dongtaw and detained seven villagers at about 9:00 a.m. on 14 August, according to the People to People volunteer organisation based in Salingyi and Yinmarbin townships.