In a shocking turn of events in Myanmar, military authorities have arrested a six-year-old girl along with 15 others in connection with the assassination of a retired high-ranking army officer. According to the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar, the arrests took place between May 23 and 29 across four different regions.
Details About The Incident
The victim, former Brigadier General Cho Tun Aung, aged 68, was shot dead on May 22 while walking with his grandchild outside his home in Mayangon township in Yangon. A militant group called Golden Valley Warriors took responsibility for the killing, claiming on Facebook that Cho had been involved in teaching “internal security and counterterrorism” at Myanmar’s National Defense College, which they said made him complicit in military atrocities.
Among those arrested is Lin Latt Shwe, the six-year-old daughter of the suspected shooter Myo Ko Ko, who reportedly used at least three fake names. The child and her parents were caught in Bagan, a city in central Myanmar.
The report also said a private hospital owner who allegedly helped treat the gunman after he was injured during the attack was taken into custody.
What Is The Reason Behind This Attack?
The military took over Myanmar in a violent coup in 2021. The removal of Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government shattered any sense of political stability and threw the nation into a state of unrest. Rebel groups have thus taken up arms out of desperation. Assassinations of top military officials, government workers, and suspected army informers have become common.
At the same time, the military regime continues to be accused of horrific human rights violations. Entire villages have been bombed, displacing families and killing civilians, including children. Homes have been burned down. Schools and clinics were destroyed. According to groups like the Golden Valley Warriors, Brigadier General Cho Tun Aung’s teachings were directly tied to violent crackdowns on dissent. Reports say he played a role in designing strategies used against civilian protestors and rebel-held areas, resulting in mass casualties and systemic abuse. For many, he was seen as a symbol of the machinery that enabled the military’s ongoing oppression.
