Myanmar: Killing of pastors spread fear among Christian communities

Dal Thawn Tuang, assistant pastor of Lamzang Baptist Church in Lamzang village, Chin State, was killed on September 14, 2026. The circumstances surrounding his death remain disputed.

The incident has created tension and unease among Christians living in the area and has further diminished the sense of security for pastors who travel to minister to communities across Chin State. In 2024-2025, Pastor Dal Thawn Thang has also participated in a leaders’ retreat and persecution preparedness training organised by Open Doors’ local partners.

Pastor Dal Thawn Tuang’s death is not an isolated incident. His case follows the disappearance and reported killing of Reverend William, a pastor from Chungcung village in Chin State, whose fate remained unknown for weeks after his arrest by the military.

On May 16, 2026, the military based in Bago Region arrested Reverend William. Reverend William believed that his pastoral identification card would protect him. In Myanmar, pastors and other recognized religious leaders carry official identification cards acknowledging their role in society—documents that have traditionally afforded them a measure of respect and protection.

However, Reverend William has not returned home since then.

Christian leaders repeatedly appealed to military authorities, seeking information about his whereabouts. The authorities reportedly did not respond. His family later concluded that he had been killed on June 3, 2026.

Reverend William’s death forms part of a wider pattern of violence affecting Christian leaders in Chin State. His case highlights the growing dangers faced by religious leaders and civilians living in conflict-affected areas of Myanmar. For many local believers, the loss represents not only the death of a pastor, but also the silencing of a spiritual shepherd who chose to remain with his community during a time of fear and uncertainty.

Growing fear as violence continues

Since the 2021 coup, several pastors and Christian leaders have reportedly died at the hands of the military or in conflict-related violence. Pastor Cung Biak Hum was killed in Chin State in 2021. Pastor Om Kee was also killed in 2021, and Pastor Salai Ngwe Kyar was killed in 2025. Catholic priest Saw Radi was killed in Kayin State in 2023.

Churches have continued to face attacks, including air raids, leaving pastors and Christian workers feeling increasingly unsafe and unprotected by the law. These incidents have deepened fear among pastors, missionaries, and evangelists, while narrowing the space for churches to minister freely to their communities.

Chin State, where most residents are Christians, remains one of the regions most deeply affected by the conflict. As military forces advance into the Chin Hills, soldiers reportedly detain men in the villages they enter and force them to serve as porters. In some cases, reports allege that soldiers have used civilians as human shields during military operations. These practices have spread fear and uncertainty throughout local communities.

Personal safety at risk

Since the 2021 military coup, military operations have also devastated Chungcung village, located about 15 miles from Hakha, the capital of Chin State. They have reportedly destroyed or burned 118 homes, killed 16 civilians, and injured at least five others. The violence has also damaged or destroyed property belonging to Chungcung Baptist Church.

Armed conflict continues to threaten Christian pastors and church leaders in Myanmar, increasingly putting their security and well-being at risk. As the Myanmar military seeks to regain territories held by anti-military resistance groups, civilians increasingly find themselves in the crossfire. Military authorities also continue to impose forced conscription in areas under military control, leaving many young men and women vulnerable and separating countless families from their fathers, sons, and brothers.

As violence continues and accountability remains elusive, Christian communities across Myanmar are increasingly concerned for the safety of pastors, church workers, and ordinary civilians who find themselves trapped in a conflict they did not create.

Win Tin*, a local Open Doors partner, shares, “The situation in Myanmar is not showing signs of improvement and the security situation is dire. Pastors and church leaders are thoroughly checked and interrogated at military checkpoints. We need prayers, encouragement, and courage to face the challenges ahead of us.”