As the aircraft was preparing to land at Loikaw, the capital of eastern Kayah state, a passenger on a domestic flight operated by Myanmar National Airlines sustained face injuries when a bullet entered the cabin of the aircraft. According to Al Jazeera, there were 63 passengers on board the aeroplane. Apparently fired from the ground, the bullet struck the passenger as she was flying.

Major-general Zaw Min Tun, a spokesperson for the Myanmar government, said on Saturday that the passenger had gotten medical attention and called the attack on the aircraft "a military crime, a criminal act," according to the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar news outlet.

ALSO READ: A riot at an Indonesian football game resulted in at least 174 deaths

The bullet harmed the aircraft's fuselage, the Junta government said, adding that it will take "severe action" against rebel forces.

According to The Sun, the plane was four miles north of the airport and travelling at a height of 3,500 feet. Following the event, the Loikaw office of Myanmar National Airlines declared that all flights to the city had been cancelled indefinitely.

The Myanmar government allegedly accuses rebel groups in the state of Kayah of shooting at the plane, according to a story by The Mirror. Rebel organisations, however, refuted the claim.

ALSO READ: Devolved nations demand Kwarteng meet with them immediately

Since the army took control of Kayah last year and toppled Aung San Suu Kyi's democratically elected government, the Junta and local resistance organisations have been engaged in a protracted war.