Child killed, four others injured by artillery strike in Hpakant

By Admin 18 Sep 2025

DMG Newsroom

18 September 2025, Hpakant, Kachin State

A child was killed and four others were injured, including two other children, when an artillery shell exploded in Mawshan Village, Seikmu Village-Tract, Hpakant Township, Kachin State, at around 4 p.m. on September 17.

The explosion occurred as children were playing in the village. An eight-year-old girl died instantly from a severe head injury caused by the blast.

In addition, two children, a man, and an elderly woman sustained serious injuries, according to local residents.

"The shell landed while the children were playing. One child was killed instantly, and another suffered a severe injury to the arm. Among the injured, some are in critical condition," said a local man from Hpakant.

Fighting between the Myanmar military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has been ongoing in Hpakant, with locals reporting daily airstrikes and artillery shelling by junta forces, forcing civilians to flee their homes.

"There are regular exchanges of fire between both sides. Aircraft come almost every day, dropping bombs around conflict areas. The military is also firing artillery daily at places where KIA troops are based," another Hpakant resident said.

Hpakant is home to hundreds of thousands of people working in jade and gold mines, including migrants from across Myanmar. Currently, many locals are living in fear due to the junta's relentless bombardments from both the air and heavy artillery.

The junta is reportedly conducting major offensives in an attempt to regain full control of Hpakant Township, with fighting intensifying daily.