Two clashes on referendum day

By Hseng Khio Fah
Shanland Agency for News

On 10 May, when the nationwide referendum was held, clashes between Shan State Army (SSA) and Burma Army took place in Shan State, according to rebel sources.

At dawn on referendum day, a unit from the SSA's Brigade # 759 ambushed a 2o strong patrol from Nawnglong based Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) # 513 near Nawngwoe village, Lawksawk township. Many soldiers were killed and injured.

On the same day, at 08:00, SSA fighters attacked soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) # 513 near Phalam village. Some were killed and many were wounded, according to the SSA.

The next day, from 08:00 to 08:10, a clash between SSA Battalion # 363 and Kunhing based Infantry Battalion (IB) # 66 took place again near Kenglom, south of Taunggyi-Keng Tung highway, Kunhing township. Six soldiers were killed including a sergeant Tin Htay Hlaing, Personal No # 1745. Many more were wounded.

Again from 10:00 to 10:55, the SSA attacked a 55 strong patrol from Column #2, IB #66 near Kali, east of Kunhing. A Corporal Aye Kyaw was killed and three soldiers were injured, the SSA said.

In the evening, eastern Deput Regional Commander, Brig-Gen Win Myint and Kunhing Area Commander Colonel Tin Maung Shwe came along with 4 trucks carrying around 50 soldiers to conduct investigations on the clashes.

The SSA also seized 2 MA4-M79 rocket launchers, 1 MA1 automatic rifles, 1 Kenwood transceivers and a number of cartridges.