A monk was reportedly shot dead by members of a PDF group in Taungtha Township after being accused of acting as an informant.
The incident occurred at around 7:00 a.m. on May 2, 2026, in Chaungpauk Village, Taungtha Township, Mandalay Region. The victim, the abbot of Mahā Walu Kārama Monastery, Venerable U Sandawara (aged 48, with 28 years in the monkhood), was inside the monastery compound when five alleged PDF members arrived on two motorcycles. They reportedly accused him of being an informant before opening fire. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene.
However, some exile media outlets have reported that the PDF denied responsibility for the killing.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of violence since the political changes in 2021. Reports indicate that more than 100 Buddhist monks and two Christian pastors have been killed in shootings and targeted assassinations. Only a small percentage of these deaths occurred during crossfire in clashes, while over 90 percent were reportedly due to targeted killings by PDF groups based on various accusations.
According to figures released by the Myanmar government, from February 1, 2021, to December 26, 2025, a total of 9,908 people—including civilians, monks, children, administrative officials, and government employees—were killed by armed groups over various allegations.
Meanwhile, organizations such as the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) report that around 8,000 people have been killed by security forces as of May 4, 2026. The Myanmar government has previously rejected these figures, stating that they lack credible evidence.
