Man Severely Injured in Shooting at KIA Checkpoint Between Muse and Namhkam
A civilian truck driver sustained severe gunshot wounds after a soldier at a Kachin Independence Army (KIA) checkpoint opened fire between Naunglaung and Namhlai villages in northern Shan State’s Muse Township, according to locals from Namsan.
The incident occurred around 10:00 AM on August 18 when security checks were underway at the KIA checkpoint between Naunglaung and Namhlai villages.
A passenger car failed to stop and drove past the checkpoint, prompting on-duty personnel to open fire. The bullets missed the target vehicle and instead struck Mai Aik Hlaing Sai, a resident of Namsan village who was driving a sand truck.
A local man from Namsan told the Ta’ang Women’s Organization: “During the inspection at the checkpoint, a car didn’t stop, so the soldier fired at it. The shots missed that car and hit the driver of the oncoming sand truck.
The KIA has already arrested the soldier who fired, though it hasn’t been disclosed how he will be taken into action.
Furthermore, reports that locals beat up the KIA soldier are completely false, though it is true that the military camp was set on fire. The KIA side stated they would provide compensation to the victim and also relocate the camp.”
The Muse-Namhkam route is primarily operated by troops of KIA Brigade 6, with Battalion 9 stationed at camps in the villages of Naunglaung and Namhlai.
The victim’s father told TWO: “After he was shot, a monk’s car coming down from Muse immediately transported him toward Muse. When his brother met them halfway, they tried to transfer cars to enter Shweli, but immigration officials did not permit entry, so they went to the Muse Central Hospital. The central hospital refused to admit him, stating they required a referral letter from the main hospital. When he went back to secure the paperwork and returned, they said they lacked the surgery equipment, so he was sent to Cherry Myay Private Hospital.”
Mai Aik Hlaing Sai suffered two bullet wounds beneath his left shoulder, damaging nerves and leaving his arm immobilized, alongside an injury to his right abdomen.
He is currently receiving medical treatment at Cherry Myay Hospital in Muse.
Additionally, family members stated that although the KIA promised to provide compensation for the damages, no financial support or assistance has been provided to date.
