A monk from Hteesae Kha Monastery was killed, and two other monks sustained serious injuries after their vehicle was shot at by military troops stationed near Aung Kalat Village in Si-Sai Township, southern Shan State. The incident occurred on November 30 at approximately 2:00 PM on the Si-Sai-Loikaw road, according to Khun Yein Yan, a spokesperson for the PNLA’s information department.
The attack targeted a vehicle carrying monks traveling towards Si-Sai Town. Hteesae Kha Monastery’s abbot succumbed to injuries at the scene, while the two other monks were critically wounded. Witnesses confirmed that the attack happened in an area under strict military control near Aung Kalat Village, which hosts a military base.
“The monks were traveling in their car towards Si-Sai when military troops near Aung Kalat Village fired at them. The abbot was killed on the spot, and the two other monks sustained serious injuries. This incident occurred on the Si-Sai-Loikaw road, an area dominated by military forces. Aung Kalat Village itself houses a military base,” said Khun Yein Yan.
He further added, “The military has since released statements suggesting that the attack was carried out by KNDF or PDF forces. However, this is baseless because the area is entirely under military control, and no KNDF or PDF activities have been reported there.”
The incident has sparked outrage in the local community, with residents demanding accountability for what they describe as a deliberate attack on unarmed religious figures. Investigations into the motives behind the shooting remain ongoing.
