Myanmar military convoy rocked by landmines in Mon State’s Kyaikto Twsp

By DMG 08 Jun 2022

DMG Newsroom
8 June 2022, Kyaikto, Mon State 

Brigade 1 of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the armed wing of Karen National Union (KNU), attacked a military convoy entering Kyaikto Township, Mon State, with landmines on June 7, according to a local source. 

A Myanmar military convoy heading to Kyaikto from Waw Township in Bago Region was attacked with landmines at a location between Ingabo and Baikkar villages, said a source close to the KNLA. 

“The KNLA attacked around 10 military trucks entering Kyaikto from Waw Township between Ingabo and Baikkar villages. Gunfighting broke out between the junta troops and KNLA after five out of the 10 military trucks were hit by landmines,” the source added. 

After the landmine attack, five military trucks from the military convoy entered Kyaikto town and the other five military vehicles returned to Daungtaung village, according to eyewitnesses. 

“I heard the sound of landmine attacks. Five military trucks are now parked in downtown Kyaikto and the other five military vehicles returned to Daungtaung village,” said a resident of Kyaikto. 

A 150-strong military contingent entered Pyinkatoe village between Thein Zayat and Kyaikto on the afternoon of June 2, prompting local villagers to flee, said a resident of Theinzayat town. 

There have been at least 20 clashes between KNLA Brigade 1 and the Myanmar military in Kyaikto Township from November 2021 through the first week of June, and more than 10,000 locals are currently displaced.