Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Two trucks ambushed by KIA soldiers: state media

0 comments
 
Tuesday, 22 May 2012 12:40 Mizzima News

(Mizzima) - Seven uniformed members of the  Kachin Independence Army (KIA) blew up two trucks heading from Muse to Lashio in Burma’s eastern Shan State over the weekend, official media reported on Tuesday.

Two large trucks carrying freight were ambushed between Nantpaw bridge and Nantoun village in Muse Township with gunfire, said the New Light of Myanmar, a state-run newspaper.

A Kachin Independence Army sniper at a frontline base in Northern Shan State. Photo: KNG

After extorting about US$ 100 from the drivers and then releasing them, the group tossed two grenades into the driver's cab of each vehicle, the article said.

The incident was the latest in a series of KIA attacks launched on non-military targets including passenger trains, rail tracks and bridges on the Myikyina-Mandalay railroad, according to authorities.

Recently, the KIA was blamed for an attack on four electrical towers on the 230-KV Shweli-Mansan national power grid in Namkham in Shan State, disrupting normal power distribution to Rangoon and other cities.

Peace negotiations between the two sides broke down last month, and fighting has continued since June 2011.

Leave a Reply