Burma Research Institute Urges Immediate White House Action After Burmese Military Kills Christian Pastor Dal Thawn Tuang in Burma

Burma Research Institute Urges Immediate White House Action After Burmese Military Kills Christian Pastor Dal Thawn Tuang in Burma

Ellicott City, Maryland, USA — The Burma Research Institute (BRI) confirms that on September 14, 2026, at approximately 4:00 p.m. Burma time, the Burmese military shot and killed Reverend Dal Thawn Tuang, assistant pastor of Lamzang Baptist Church in Lamzang Village, Chin State, where he had served for 22 years. Pastor Tuang, 49, is survived by his wife and two children. His funeral was held on September 16 at 1:00 p.m. Burma time in Lamzang Village, which is about 5.5 miles from Tiddim town.

In a condolence letter to the bereaved family, churches, and colleagues dated September 16, 2026, the Tiddim Baptist Convention (TBC) — of which Lamzang Baptist Church is a member — honored Pastor Tuang as a faithful servant of God, quoting Matthew 25:21 (NIV):

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!'”

The TBC’s letter did not state a cause of death. According to sources, Pastor Tuang was shot three times by the Burmese military near the Kapte bridge while returning to his native village of Lamzang after conducting religious activities in Tui Tawh Village. He died from his wounds.

“My prayers and thoughts are with the family of Pastor Dal Thawn Tuang and the Tiddim Chin Baptist Convention. This is an escalating war against Christians,” said Rev. Dr. Robin Stoops, BRI Board Chair and former Associate General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA.

Sources also said that on the night of September 13, around 80 Burmese military prisoners of war escaped from the custody of the resistance group People’s Defense Force (PDF-Zoland), triggering clashes between the two sides.

Khonumthung Burmese reported on September 16 that an examination of Reverend Tuang’s body found bullet wounds in three areas — the chest, abdomen, and thigh — indicating that the killing was not accidental but deliberate.

Separately, The Irrawaddy’s Burmese edition reported on September 15 that prisoners of war escaping from Tiddim shot and killed a pastor.

BRI notes that this killing follows a documented pattern of violence against Christians in Burma. A BRI report released in January 2026 found:

  • 343 Christian churches and buildings damaged or destroyed by the Burmese military since the coup (BRI estimate synthesizing multiple credible datasets);
  • 149 Christians killed and 218 imprisoned (Open Doors totals, 2022–2025, as presented in the report); and
  • repeated attacks on religious sites during Christian holy days, including Christmas, Palm Sunday, and Easter, along with a sustained assault on the Christian town of Thantlang, where 21 of 22 churches have been destroyed and the entire population has been displaced.

Since coup leader Min Aung Hlaing appointed himself President earlier this year, attacks on Christians, places of worship, and civilians have worsened. In August, the Burmese military killed Pastor William of Chuncung Baptist Church in Chuncung village, Chin State, along with a fellow Christian. BRI issued a statement, and several media outlets covered it

“President Trump should determine that the atrocities against Christians constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes. The White House should also put pressure on the military to release prisoners — including pastors and State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi — immediately and unconditionally,” said Zo Tum Hmung, President and CEO of BRI.

Additional Sources (Photos provided by anonymous sources)

  • Media Coverage of Pastor William’s Killing by the Burmese Military in Chin State, Burma (https://burmari.org/2026/09/15/media-coverage-of-pastor-williams-killing-bythe-burmese-military-in-chin-state-burma/)
  • BRI Press Release: Burma Research Institute Releases New Report Documenting Severe Violations of Religious Freedom Against Christians in Burma (https://burmari.org/2026/02/01/burma-research-institute-releases-new-reportdocumenting-severe-violations-of-religious-freedom-against-christians-in-burma/).
  • Letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio (https://burmari.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Letter-to-Secretary-Rubio-March-232026.pdf)
  • Response Letter from a Senior State Department Official on Behalf of Secretary of State Marco Rubio (https://burmari.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/State-Department-Response-–-March23-2026-Letter.pdf).
  • Seventeen Months After the Military Coup in Myanmar/Burma: Escalating Persecution of Chin Christians in Chin State and Sagaing Region, June 2022
    (https://burmari.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/CRFReport-June-2022-June.22.22compressed.pdf)

The Burma Research Institute (BRI), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Ellicott City, Maryland, in the United States. It conducts research and advocacy primarily focused on freedom of religion or belief in Burma, and advocates for human rights and protection and assistance for refugees and internally displaced persons from Burma. BRI also empowers the local Chin community in Maryland and across the United States to successfully integrate into American society. (www.burmari.org).

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