A Myanmar military source revealed that Senior General Min Aung Hlaing narrowly escaped death during a rocket attack in Mandalay last month while wearing royal regalia to perform a traditional ritual.
On 10 February 2026, The Irrawaddy reported citing a Myanmar military source who disclosed that Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, leader of Myanmar's military government, narrowly survived a homemade rocket attack in Mandalay in late January.
The source stated that the Central Military Command, located within the Mandalay Palace grounds, was attacked in the early morning of 27 January while Min Aung Hlaing had been staying there since the previous night to conduct a traditional ritual intended to ward off bad luck.
The report indicated that the military leader was dressed in Burmese royal attire and planned to enter the palace via the Mingalar Bridge at 04:41 a.m., considered an auspicious time amid the ongoing civil war and following a military-organized election won by the military-backed party, with expectations that Min Aung Hlaing would assume the presidency.
According to the source, the rockets missed their target but caused Min Aung Hlaing to be severely shaken, leading him to avoid public appearances for about a week.
Meanwhile, the group 'Warriors for the People of Myanmar' posted on Facebook on 27 January that they fired several 107-millimeter homemade rockets at the Central Military Command base around 04:30 a.m., claiming at least three rockets exploded and several officers were injured, though it was unconfirmed whether the military leader was harmed.
Following the incident, Min Aung Hlaing disappeared from public view for approximately one week, sparking rumors and speculation about his health and safety. On 3 February, he reappeared at a meeting with the Russian Security Council secretary, quelling rumors. Two days later, he traveled to Yangon University to receive an honorary doctorate.
Source: Irrawaddy