MYITKYINA-----Phone Kyaw, a leader of a Militia in Naungmee village situated on Tanai-Ledo road in Hpakant Township, Kachin State,was shot by an unidentified armed group at about 9pm of May 27th, say locals.

“He[Phone Kyaw] left the military. He also gave medical care. His body was cremated in Moegaung Township on May 28th. We don’t actually know which armed group shot him. But, the news spread that the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) shot him. Phone Kyaw served at the militia about 5 years ago. All the villagers are terrified. Recently, the house of a militia leader was shot in Shaduzut village. We want to end this situation,” said one of the members of the ward administrative team.

Before Phone Kyaw had been assassinated, an armed group raided a house of a militia leader in Shaduzut village but four members of an unknown armed group were killed during the raid. 

Most neighbourhood residents said that the raid was led by KIA. However, the KIA did not make any confirmations or replies regarding the attack.