Reuters could not independently verify the report. The brutal attack was reported to have occurred on Friday (16/9) local time.
In a separate statement, Myanmar’s military said its personnel opened fire because the rebels used the school building to launch an attack on its troops.
The Myanmar military said the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and People’s Defense Forces (PDF) – an umbrella organization for armed insurgents whom the Myanmar junta calls “terrorists” were hiding inside the monastery.
It also alleged that the rebels used the village to transport weapons in the surrounding area.