At least 34 people were gunned down by security forces during anti-military protests in Myanmar on Sunday.

Most of them – 31 – were killed in Hlaing Thar Yar, the most populated township of the commercial capital Yangon.

“We have received 31 dead bodies so far. All of them died of gunshot wounds,” a surgeon at a public hospital in the township told Anadolu Agency on the phone Sunday night.

There has been a heavy security presence around protest sites in the area since early Sunday morning.

Zay Phyo, a protest leader, said more than 500 security personnel had been deployed to target people gathering in Hlaing Thar Yar.

“There are a few police officers, but most are soldiers. They are using guerrilla tactics against peaceful protesters,” he told Anadolu Agency.

“The soldiers moved around in the area on motorbikes, shooting people at random. That’s why there have been so many casualties.”

Several more people were injured as troops fired tear gas, stun grenades, rubber bullets, and live ammunition at crowds.

“We had anticipated such a violent crackdown and have prepared to defend ourselves as much as we can,” Phyo said./aa