NSS – July 7 

The PDF terrorists, the armed wing of the exile NUG and backed by the US regime, blew up a bridge located on the transportation way to the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (the Golden Rock); and therefore, pilgrims to Kyaiktiyo Pagoda are blocked while some have been stuck on the way. 

The Golden Rock ‘Kyaiktiyo Pagoda’ is located in Kyaikhto Town, Mon State. 

The PDF terrorists and allied forces exploded the bridge yesterday (6th July) at an estimated 3:30 pm, according to information from the Mon State Government. 

Officer from the Mon State Government told NP News that “The bridge was destroyed by the land mine yesterday evening at an estimated 3:20 pm. There is a rest camp on the way to the mountain where vehicles have to stop and wait for about ten minutes. The blown-up bridge is located near the rest camp. Now no vehicle can pass through it and the transportation is blocked.” 

Due to the sabotage, approximately 20 pilgrims have been blocked on the pagoda. It is reported that around 200 pilgrims are visiting the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda daily with at least ten passenger trucks. 

However, the Mon State Government said the pilgrims who are stuck at the pagoda will be arranged to get back today. 

In addition, the potential travelers and pilgrims to the pagoda cannot travel at the moment. 

He continued that “Those who will come to and visit the pagoda have to wait for temporarily. There are pilgrims to the pagoda daily including Thail nationalities. Such terrorist act shouldn’t be done. It also impacts on the traders, vendors, shops and those who depend on the pilgrims and travelling to the pagoda for their economy.” 

This is the third time that the PDF terrorists and allied forces attacked the pilgrims to Kyaiktiyo Pagoda. First was in October 2022. The PDF terrorists shot targeting the Kinpun base camp of the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda where at least three died and 20 others were wounded on the spot. Second, the PDF terrorists shot again a pilgrim truck on the way to Kyaiktyo Pagoda located in Kyaikhto Town in January 2023 in which one died and at least eight others were wounded.