Military Airstrike on School in Myanmar Kills 17 Students, Over 20 Injured

Naypyitaw: The military junta bombed a school in Myanmar, India's neighboring country. 17 students died in this bombing, while more than 20 are injured. This school is in Depayin city of Sagaing region, which was run by the ousted National Unity Government of Myanmar. The military junta has refused to comment on this attack. There has been a long-running civil war in Myanmar, due to which thousands of people have died and several lakhs of population have been displaced.

What did the ousted government say

The ousted government of Myanmar said that the attack was carried out on Monday. A large number of students were present in the school at that time. So far, 17 students have been confirmed dead. The attack comes as a ceasefire is in place between the two sides after the recent devastating earthquake. The school, run by the shadow National Unity Government, is in Depayin town in Myanmar's Sagaing region, about 160 km (100 miles) north of Mandalay and not far from the epicenter of the March 28 earthquake.

17 students confirmed dead

"According to the information we have so far, 17 students have been killed and 20 injured," NUG spokesman Phone Latt said. "Some students may be missing due to bomb damage, so the death toll may be higher," NUG spokesman Phone Latt said. Myanmar has been in the grip of conflict since the military used deadly force to suppress protests against its return to power in a coup in 2021. The military is struggling to govern and has lost ground in its battle to fend off an uprising by ethnic minority armies and a resistance movement linked to the NUG.

Myanmar military remains silent

A junta spokesman declined to comment. Last week, the junta said it was extending a post-quake ceasefire until May 31. It had announced a ceasefire in early April, days after the quake, to support relief efforts, following similar moves by anti-junta armed groups. Military airstrikes and artillery attacks have continued in parts of Myanmar despite the ceasefire declaration. The NUG comprises the remnants of the elected administration ousted by the military in the coup and other anti-junta groups.