Local defence forces killed five relatives of a village administrator including three immediate family members when they attacked the administrator’s house on 29 July in Mandalay Region’s Mahlaing Township.

The defence forces attacked the administrator’s house in Thetkeikyin Village and killed five of the administrator’s relatives, but not the administrator or his wife, as they were not at the house when the attack happened.

“The administrator and his wife escaped. A total of five: the administrator’s daughter, a brother, a sister, and two other relatives died. Many people’s defence force [PDF] members came to the village and took part in the shooting”, said a Thetkeikyin villager.

The killed were named as the Thetkeikyin Village administrator’s daughter Daw Thu Zar, his sister Daw Kyi Lwin, his brother Ko Sein Win, and his relatives Ko Nay Htet Aung and U Khin Soe. They were all killed on the spot. Natogyi Township PDF claimed that all five were members of the junta-aligned Pyu Saw Htee militia.

After killing the occupants of the house, the defence force fighters exchanged fire with junta soldiers stationed at Thetkeikyin Village School killing three soldiers, according to Natogyi Township PDF.

The PDF said that the attack was carried out to clear the area of Pyu Saw Htee members. During the attack the defence force fighters seized a homemade .22 gun, 16 bullets and a phone.

During the month of July, more than 25 civilians were detained by junta soldiers and Pyu Saw Htee members and they killed at least one person, according to Natogyi Township PDF.

Mizzima has been unable to confirm casualty numbers.

The defence forces that carried out the attack included Natogyi PDF, Mahlaing Township PDF, Natogyi Township PDF and Bo Sar Guerrilla Force (Myingyan).