Following an attack on the Myanmar junta’s Northwestern Command during a visit by junta leader Min Aung Hlaing the army allegedly retaliated by firing chemical weapons.

Min Aung Hlaing was visiting Northwestern Command in Sagaing Region’s Monywa Township on 19 March when the Chindwin Attack Force fired eight artillery shells, five of which hit the gate of the base, at 2:00 p.m. on the afternoon of 19 March.

A spokesperson from the Chindwin Attack force said: “We conducted our operation amidst tight security as our intelligence information said that Min Aung Hlaing would be in Monywa and would pay a visit to Northwestern Command.”

According to the Chindwin Attack Force, its artillery attack destroyed some of the infrastructure at Northwestern Command, but it had no details about casualties. All of its fighters were able to retreat without suffering any injuries.

But, according to the Chindwin Attack Force, following its attack on the base, the junta army retaliated by firing two chemical weapon artillery rounds.

A Chindwin Attack Force representative said: “They fired back with chemical weapons. They fired two rounds back. The shells exploded a short distance away from us and emitted white smoke. We were hit once before, so we retreated immediately”, according to a report by the Myanmar Press photo Agency (MPA).

Neither MPA nor Mizzima have been able to confirm whether a chemical weapon was fired by the junta.

A Chindwin Attack Force member said to MPA: “We have been hit by chemical weapons once before. We suffered for a long time. We became dizzy. Our eyes started stinging. We started to feel nauseous. One of our comrades was hit by that weapon and could not escape. He was arrested and killed. This time we retreated at once.”

Before he visited Northwestern Command, Min Aung Hlaing met with departmental officials, town elders and MSME businesspeople in Monywa. At Northwestern Command he met with injured soldiers.

The junta has not issued a statement about the Northwestern Command attack.

The attack was carried out by fighters from Chindwin Attack Force Battalion 2 and Fight for the People Company 4.