Three students have died and six others have been injured after Myanmar's military reportedly carried out an air and drone attack on a Christian Bible school in Karen State.
The attack took place on Tuesday in Day Bu Noh village, located in Hpapun District, an area largely inhabited by Christian Karen communities.
According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), military aircraft dropped more than 10 bombs on the area before armed drones continued the bombardment. One drone reportedly exploded directly above the Bible school.
Two female students died at the scene, while a third student died the following day while being taken to Thailand for emergency medical treatment.
Seven students were initially reported injured. However, one later died from her injuries, leaving six survivors receiving medical care.
CSW said local officials helped transport two seriously injured students across the Salween River into Thailand on Wednesday. One of them died while being taken to Sop Moei Hospital.
Scot Bower, chief executive of CSW, condemned the attack and expressed concern over the deaths and injuries suffered by the students.
He accused Myanmar's military authorities of targeting a Christian educational institution and called on the international community to take action against attacks on civilian communities.
Bower also urged governments to support measures to restrict aviation fuel supplies to the military and ensure those responsible for violations are held accountable.
Myanmar has experienced widespread conflict since February 2021, when the military removed the elected government from power and detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The military takeover triggered large pro-democracy protests, followed by armed resistance and fighting across many parts of the country.
Several ethnic armed organisations, including forces from predominantly Christian Karen, Kachin and Chin communities, have also been involved in the conflict.
Human rights organisations and United Nations investigators have repeatedly raised concerns about military operations affecting civilians, including airstrikes on villages and other populated areas.
The United Nations estimates that around 1.6 million people from Myanmar have fled the country and are living as refugees or asylum seekers.
CSW reported that the latest attack happened at approximately 3 pm on Tuesday, despite there being no active fighting in the immediate area at the time.
The organisation also said military operations in the region had increased since May 2026, with reports of air attacks, artillery fire and the burning of villages.
On 25 October, a military aircraft reportedly dropped four bombs on Mae Nu Hta village near the Salween River. The attack killed a child and injured at least two other people.
The attack on the Bible school follows other incidents involving Christian places of worship in Myanmar.
On 9 October, two military aircraft reportedly carried out bombing operations over Mindat, a town in southern Chin State. Four bombs were dropped at two locations, with one striking a Presbyterian church compound and destroying the church building. No casualties were reported in that incident.
Three days later, on 12 October, soldiers from the military's 33rd and 88th Light Infantry Divisions reportedly set fire to Htingnan Kachin Baptist Church and nearby homes in Shwe Pyi Tha Ward, in Bhamo Township, Kachin State.
Mervyn Thomas, founder and president of CSW, previously condemned the destruction of the two churches.
He said attacks on places of worship were particularly damaging because churches often serve as important centres of spiritual support and community life, especially for vulnerable populations.
Reports of attacks on religious buildings in Myanmar have not been limited to Christian communities.
Monitoring organisation Myanmar Witness reported in April that it had documented more than 300 airstrikes on religious sites between January 2024 and December 2025. The affected locations included churches, mosques and Buddhist monasteries.
In another incident, a military airstrike struck a Buddhist temple in Myaung Township, in the Sagaing Region, in August. Fourteen civilians who had gathered at the temple for a meditation retreat were reportedly killed.
The latest attack on the Bible school has renewed concerns about the safety of religious communities, students and civilians caught up in Myanmar's continuing conflict.
Christian organisations are calling for greater international attention and stronger measures to protect places of worship, religious freedom and innocent lives.
Based on reporting by The Christian Post and Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
