Fight leaves 8 dead

by admin — last modified 2008-01-28 09:43

40 soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion 517 guarding Major-General Thaung Aye Commander of Taunggyi, the capital city of Shan State, had a clash with Shan State Army and 7 soldiers of SPDC and 1 fighter from SSA were killed in the fight, according to sources from Southern Shan State.

By: Kwarn Lake

On 21st of this month, two soldiers from Loi Tai Leng based Shan State Army (SSA), came into Mu Nao village, Mong Nang tract in Kehsi Township for information gathering. While they were walking through the village with a walkie-talkie and with no weapons, they were shot by the bodyguards of Major-General Thaung Aye who were patrolling the village while he was inspecting the coal fields.

A soldier from SSA died on the spot and another one escaped to the south of the village. One of the villagers said, "The SPDC soldiers followed the one who was escaping and fell into the trap of SSA. They ran into over 20 SSA soldiers. The shooting started from 6:30 am to 11 am. Five SPDC soldiers died on the spot and two died at the hospital from fatal wounds."

It is unknown how many guns have been seized from both sides. After more than 4 hours of fighting, both side retreated their troops and the sound of shooting guns became quiet, said the villager.

Guided by 8 soldiers from Mongzeun military group, (formally from Brigade 758 of SSA that surrendered in July 2006) Maj-Gen Thaung Aye, Commander of Taunggyi-based Burma Army's Eastern Region Command was in the area to inspect the excavation of coal.