It is investigated that Pulaw PDF that at least 15 people were killed when they waited and pulled up the mines for 2 military vehicles coming to Pulaw town from Palauk Township of Myeik District, Tanintharyi Region.
“On May 24, at around 6:00 a.m., one of the 2 military vehicles coming to Pulaw Township from Division 12 of Palauk Township, was attacked with 6 landmines at the intersection bridge of Nang Payoke Monastery,” said an official of Pulaw People’s Defense Force of Myeik District Battalion 1 (PPDF).
“We mined with 6 mines at Nang Payoke Bridge. The one was far away from the other, so we only mined the first one. The type of mine is a cut-off mine. It is on both sides of the road. As soon as the car got in the middle, it was gone. Many people in the car were hit and blood was pooling on the side of the bridge. At least 15 soldiers were killed. Only 2 of them were able to shoot back,” he said.
When approaching the military vehicle that was attacked by landmines, the other military vehicle fired at them with a 40 (mm) heavy weapon and fired a gun, and the encounter clash took place for about 20 minutes and they retreated to a safe place.
“The second vehicle is far away from the first one that was mined, so it was not hit by mine. There were more than 20 points of the shoot by the heavy weapons. The villages next to Nang Payoke Bridge were fleeing from the war, so no people were hit by the heavy weapons. We also retreated to avoid being hit by the heavy weapon. Everyone was safe. No one was injured. The clash ended at around 6:25 a.m. in the morning,” he continued.
MPA has investigated that after the encounter, both military vehicles sped towards Pulaw town and ran away, by cursing and firing guns at the bushes along the road.
MPA could not separately confirm the casualties of the soldiers.