Child injured by junta naval shelling in Kyaukphyu

By Admin 13 Oct 2025

DMG Newsroom

13 October 2025, Kyaukphyu

A child was injured when the Myanmar military’s navy fired artillery shells from the sea near Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, according to local sources.

The injured child has been identified as three-year-old Maung Pho Shwe Lamin from Kyaukpyauk Village. He sustained injuries to his lower left leg after junta naval forces fired heavy artillery toward the village at around 7 p.m. on October 12.

A displaced resident from Kyaukphyu said: “We heard that two artillery shells were fired from a naval vessel anchored off the southern coast of Kyaukpyauk Village. One of the shells exploded inside the village, injuring a child with shrapnel.”

One of the two shells landed inside the village, while the other exploded outside, locals said.

Kyaukpyauk Village has about 300 households and lies roughly 18 miles from Kyaukphyu, near the Yangon–Kyaukphyu highway and along the Bay of Bengal coast.

Although the village is more than 10 miles from the nearest combat zone, at least two junta naval vessels have reportedly been stationed in nearby waters since fighting in Kyaukphyu began in February.

Residents said junta naval ships have frequently fired heavy artillery toward coastal villages including Kyaukpyauk, Minpyin, Nga Oak, and Kyauk Kalay.

A displaced man from Kyaukphyu said: “People in Kyaukpyauk Village are living in fear. There are also many internally displaced people from Kyaukphyu sheltering there. These naval attacks are terrifying everyone.”

On October 10, an 86-year-old man, U Aung Zan, was also injured by shrapnel when junta naval vessels fired shells that landed in Nga Oak Village, Kyaukphyu Township.

Fighting remains intense in and around Kyaukphyu, and junta naval forces continue to shell nearby villages where no clashes are taking place, resulting in civilian casualties and injuries.

According to DMG records, since fighting broke out in Kyaukphyu in February 2025, at least 52 civilians from 15 villages have been killed or injured due to junta attacks involving artillery fire, small arms, and airstrikes.

In recent days, junta naval vessels have also stepped up daily shelling of villages along coastal areas under AA control.

On October 9, junta warships fired 11 rounds of heavy artillery from the sea near Pone Ngyat Village in Gwa Township. That same day, junta naval vessels anchored off Ngapali Beach also fired shells toward Thandwe, according to the Arakan Army (AA).

The AA has urged residents of coastal towns and villages to remain extremely cautious and stay alert to the growing threats of junta naval and air attacks.