Myanmar military kills Baptist pastor in Chin State

A Baptist pastor, identified as William, was killed by Myanmar military forces after being detained on suspicion of supporting a resistance organization. William, who served as the senior pastor of the Chungcung Baptist Church in Chin State for 25 years, was killed on June 4 alongside a man named Nam Ceu.

The Burma Research Institute (BRI) reported that the two were arrested on May 16 by members of the 77th Light Infantry Division at a rural shelter near Chungcung village. While three others escaped the raid, William remained at the location, believing his status as a religious leader would protect him from arrest.

According to the BRI, William was accused of having links to the Hakha Chinland Defense Force (CDF), an armed group opposing the military junta. The organization has classified the deaths as “extrajudicial executions,” noting that the men were killed without trial or legal due process. Information regarding their deaths only became public in late August following weeks of attempts to locate them. A memorial service was held in Chungcung on August 26 to honor the pastor.