At least 30 people, including women and children, were killed and more than 20 were injured in a Myanmar military air and artillery strike on Mung Lai Hka IDP village in Laiza, Kachin State.

A source close to this incident said, “The military carried out the airstrike on Mung Lai Hka IDP village. The numbers of fatalities and injured persons are increasing.”

The military conducted more than four aerial and artillery strikes on the IDP village around 11 pm on 9 October and 1 am on 10 October.

“The attack occurred around midnight when IDPs were falling asleep. Many were injured in the attack,” said Khun Jar, an advocate for the Kachin ethnic people, wrote on her Facebook.

The attack on Mung Lai Hka IDP village has the second highest casualty rate after the military’s aerial attack on Anang Pa village in Hpa-kant township on 24 November last year.

“Mung Lai Hka village has existed more than 40 years. It is a gateway to China. It has been established as an IDP village since 2011 for the displaced persons from serious armed conflicts in Nantsamyang and Lajaryan villages in July. And the village is about three miles from the headquarters of KIA (Kachin Independence Army),” Khun Jar added.

Mizzima is trying to contact KIA spokesperson Colonel Naw Bu for details.