Corpses of the victims of indiscriminate attacks yesterday are lined up on the ground in Laukkai, Shan State.
At least 30 people were killed, four traffic policemen taken hostage and many injured early yesterday morning after troops from the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) staged multiple early morning attacks in Laukkai in northern Shan State.
The attacks occurred in the pre-dawn hours with MNDAA armed troops arriving from the East near the Chinese border and raiding and setting fire to homes, police stations, border outposts and hotels.
The attacks continued when a contingent of about 30 MNDAA members disguised in police uniforms entered Yanlonekyine Police Station, Laukkai Township, about 2 am and opened fire, prompting officers of the Tatmadaw-Myanmar Police Joint Security Force to engage in a gun battle. The Yanlonekyine Police Station is a usual rendezvous point for members of the Tatmadaw and Border Security Force.
A few hours later, about 50 MNDAA armed troops infiltrated the house of U Wai San, a member of the Kokang Self-Administered Zone’s Leading Comittee, and retreated at about 5 am, according to official reports. The insurgents also attacked the Kyintin Hotel and badly damaged four vehicles.
The MNDAA troops earlier raided the cash counter at the Fulilight Hotel around 2:30 am and retreated to the BP-127 border checkpoint by 5:10 am. Tatmadaw forces followed in pursuit.
Simultaneously, MNDAA forces attacked Tatmadaw bases and the city of Laukkai between the BP-125 and BP-127 border checkpoints, resulting in several skirmishes.
The fatalities included five civilians and five Kokang traffic policemen. Among the victims was B.E.P.S (LaungAeKyi) primary assistant teacher Daw Pyar Mhi. It could not be determined whether Daw Pyar Hmi was injured or killed. It was also reported that four Kokang traffic police officers were taken hostage.
Other armed groups were also involved with the MNDAA in the attack, according to reports. Security troops discovered 20 charred corpses and 10 pieces of weaponry after the attacks. The Tatmadaw, in its effort to enforce peace and stability, is continuing clearance operations in the area.
The attacks occurred hours before State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi urged female business leaders at the Women’s Week event in Nay Pyi Taw to take part in the peace process. —Myanmar News Agency