At least 24 people were killed and 47 injured when Myanmar’s military dropped two bombs from a motorised paraglider on a crowd gathered for a Buddhist festival in Chaung U township, Sagaing region, on Monday, officials from the government-in-exile told BBC Burmese.

Around 100 people were attending the candlelight vigil, organised as a peaceful protest against the junta’s conscription law and upcoming national election. The Sagaing region, a key resistance stronghold, has seen intensified airstrikes as the army regains ground through a renewed campaign of bombardments.

A local People’s Defence Force (PDF) official said they had prior warning of a possible airborne assault and tried to end the event early, but the attack happened “within seven minutes”. Witnesses described horrific scenes, with several children among the dead.

Amnesty International called the strike part of a “disturbing trend”, as the junta increasingly uses paragliders amid aircraft shortages. Researcher Joe Freeman urged ASEAN to “increase pressure on the junta and revise an approach that has failed the Myanmar people for almost five years.”

Despite sanctions limiting access to military equipment, analysts say advanced drones and technology from China and Russia have strengthened the junta’s capabilities.

Myanmar plans to hold elections in December, the first since the 2021 coup, but critics say the vote will not be free or fair, with many opposition parties banned and polling expected only in junta-controlled areas.

#BBC