A Catholic priest was stabbed to death by armed men while he was alone in a church in Myanmar’s northwest Sagaing Region earlier this month, during the ongoing civil conflict.

According to The Christian Post, Fr Donald Martin Ye Naing Win, 44, of the Mandalay Archdiocese, was killed at Ludmal Thawma Church in Kangi Taw Village on 14th February at 7 p.m.

The National Unity Government (NUG), the primary organisation leading Myanmar’s resistance against the military government, announced the arrest of at least ten individuals from a local resistance group in connection with the murder on the same day.

The NUG has since vowed to investigate the incident further, as reported by The Associated Press.

This marks the first known targeted killing of a religious leader since Myanmar’s military coup in 2021, which ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

In a statement, the NUG condemned any attacks on civilians, including religious figures, and pledged to pursue justice for the slain priest.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear, though Myanmar Now, an independent news outlet, has reported that Ye Naing Win had previously been accused of being a military informant.

Charles Cardinal Bo, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Myanmar, expressed shock and sorrow at the murder, calling the act "unforgettable" and urging those responsible to face justice.

"We appeal for the perpetrators to be held accountable, ensuring that such acts do not recur," he said.