Lieutenant kills 4 family members and commits suicide in Taungoo TapaK region, army attempts to cover up news

Ayeyarwaddy Times July 15 A lieutenant in the Myanmar military shot and killed his wife and four other family members before committing suicide on July 12 within the Taungoo Southern Military Command (TaPaK) region, based in Taungoo Township, Bago Region, according to military sources. The incident occurred within the TaPaK Military Command area, which houses the Army Supply and Transport School (TaHaPa-1) and tank regiments in Taungoo Township. The shooting began following an argument between the couple in their housing unit. The shooting resulted in the deaths of the lieutenant's wife, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, and a young child. After the shooting, the lieutenant also shot himself, resulting in the deaths of five people, including himself. CDM Major Zin Yaw told the Ayeyarwaddy Times, "Although this incident has been reported by the Southern Military Command to the Naypyidaw Operations Department, it is understood that the news has been covered up as if it were caused by drugs and alcohol, in order to prevent a breakdown in military morale." There are reports within the military that the perpetrator, a lieutenant, had transferred from the Kunlong region to Taungoo, operated a shop within the military compound, and was addicted to drugs. An officer from the military told the Ayeyarwaddy Times, "The detailed reasons for such a brutal killing of family members are not yet known. It is speculated that it could be due to an argument within the family or some form of military pressure and psychological stress." Currently, instructors and soldiers within the military command area are being forcibly transferred to frontline combat duties in the cotton and sugarcane cultivation units, causing distress among the military personnel. Military officials are reportedly conducting detailed investigations into the murder. The post Lieutenant kills 4 family members and commits suicide in Taungoo TapaK region, army attempts to cover up news appeared first on Ayeyarwaddy Times.