Pastor killed in shootout between escaped junta troops and PDF in Tiddim

In Tiddim Township, Chin State, a shootout occurred between escaped junta troops and the People’s Defence Force – Zoland (PDF Zoland), resulting in the death of a religious leader, a pastor, who was hit by gunfire, it has been learned. The exchange of fire between the escaped military prisoners from the PDF Zoland detention camp and the PDF Zoland forces took place near Kaptel village around 4 PM on September 14. During the shootout, Pastor Rev. Dal Thawn Tuang of the Baptist Church in Lamzang village, who was traveling for religious purposes, was hit by gunfire and died, while his elder brother sustained injuries. “He was returning to the village while traveling for religious matters when he was shot near the bridge close to Kaptel village. His elder brother was also injured, and the pastor died,” a local resident of Tiddim Township told the Ayeyarwaddy Times. Sources indicate that it has not yet been independently confirmed which group was responsible for the shooting that killed the pastor in this incident, nor is it known which side fired the bullets. On the night of September 13, approximately 80 junta troops, including two majors and one captain, who were being held by PDF Zoland, beat the guards, seized their weapons, and escaped. PDF Zoland forces deployed and searched the jungle for these escaped military prisoners, leading to the exchange of fire as described on September 14. Caption: Pastor Rev. Dal Thawn Tuang of the Baptist Church, who was killed by gunfire.