Baptist pastor shot dead by unknown hitmen in Myanmar

A Baptist pastor has been killed in Myanmar’s Kachin state, marking a grim escalation in the region’s ongoing conflict. The 47-year-old pastor, associated with the Kachin Baptist Convention, was fatally shot in his computer shop by three unidentified assailants, according to a report.

Pastor Nammye Hkun Jaw Li from Mogaung township suffered gunshot wounds to the head and abdomen Monday. His death has intensified concerns in Kachin, a state already ravaged by violence since the 2021 coup by the military, also known as the Tatmadaw.

Li wasn't only a religious leader but also a prominent figure in local anti-military protests and community initiatives against drug abuse. He was involved with the KBC and the anti-drug group Pat Jasan in Kachin.

The incident occurred in a township that has witnessed significant unrest, with the local population bearing the brunt of the conflict.

Mourning his loss, his family and local residents have demanded justice, though they have not pointed fingers at any group for the attack.

Numerous deaths and displacements have occurred in Kachin state since the military takeover. The area, with a significant Christian population, has seen religious tensions intertwine with political strife.

The arrest and subsequent imprisonment of Hkalam Samson, another Baptist leader, by the military reflects the heightened risks faced by religious and community leaders in Kachin.