A junta soldier is seen in Yangon on August 10 (EPA/EFE)

Soldiers open fire on a couple in Paung Township, injuring a man and killing a 27-year-old woman who was five months pregnant

By Myanmar Now

Junta troops opened fire on a couple returning to their home in Thea Ein village in Mon State’s Paung Township on Wednesday night, killing a woman who was five months pregnant and injuring her husband.

Ei Thwe Moe, 27, died on the spot due to a gunshot wound to the thigh, a family member said. Twenty-nine-year-old Puu Day, who also goes by the name Min Nay Lwin, had to be hospitalised after suffering injuries to his eye and leg.

The couple was reportedly returning from a farm outside the village, and had been gathering food in the area when they were shot at around 10pm.

The family member who spoke to Myanmar Now said that the soldiers opened fire when the couple aimed their flashlights at them.

A local claimed that the incident happened while members of the military were on patrol that night, and that he had heard around 10 gunshots before the soldiers fled the scene.

“They just left them like that right after shooting them, it’s like they had total disregard for their lives,” the local said.

The couple also have a four-year-old daughter.

Locals were unable to provide further details concerning the incident and Myanmar Now was unable to verify their accounts independently.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, 1,041 people have been killed by the military council from the February 1 coup until September 1, and 7,742 people have been arrested.

Original Post: Myanmar Now