At least 24 people, including monks and local villagers, were killed when a Myanmar army paraglider dropped bombs on a Buddhist festival in the country’s central region, according to eyewitnesses and local media reports. The attack is one of the deadliest assaults on civilians in recent months, underscoring the escalating violence between the military junta and resistance forces.

The tragic incident took place during a religious celebration at a pagoda, where hundreds of worshippers had gathered to mark a local Buddhist event. Witnesses described scenes of chaos and devastation as explosions tore through the festival grounds, leaving dozens wounded and several in critical condition.

Human rights organizations have condemned the attack, calling it a war crime and blatant violation of international humanitarian law. They urged the global community to take stronger action against the Myanmar military, which has faced widespread accusations of targeting civilians, burning villages, and suppressing dissent since seizing power in the 2021 coup.

The use of paragliders for aerial bombings marks a new and disturbing tactic by the military, allowing for low-altitude precision attacks on gatherings that are otherwise difficult to detect by traditional defense systems.

Local rescue teams, operating under resistance-held areas, are struggling to reach survivors due to ongoing air surveillance and security blockades. Meanwhile, Myanmar’s exiled National Unity Government (NUG) has demanded an international investigation and renewed calls for a global arms embargo on the junta.

The attack adds to Myanmar’s growing humanitarian crisis, where thousands have been killed and millions displaced amid a prolonged civil war that shows no signs of abating.