Mother killed, three men injured in Kyauktaw firefight

By Aung Htein 03 Feb 2020

Aung Htein | DMG
February 3, Kyauktaw
 
Artillery and small arms fire killed a mother and injured three men on the morning of February 3 in Kyauktaw town.
 
The deceased is Ma Aye Aye Khaing, 25, from Pite Thal ward, and the injured are Maung Saw Phyu, 19, U Maung Saw Hla, 67, and U Kyaw Thein Tun, 41, from Pyi Taw Thar ward.
 
Daw Hla Hla Yi, the wife of U Kyaw Thein Tun, said her husband was shot by Tatmadaw soldiers who had set up a temporary camp near the town’s Mahar Kankyishin Pagoda.
 
“There are soldiers at the pagoda. They shot their guns. They fired about three times with artillery guns, then they used small guns,” she said.
 
U Kyaw Thein Tun suffered serious injuries to his groin area and was sent to Sittwe General Hospital, while U Maung Saw Hla sustained injuries to his back and Maung Saw Phyu’s right hip was wounded. Both are receiving medical treatment at Kyauktaw Hospital.
 
Colonel Win Zaw Oo, spokesperson for the military's Western Region Command, said firearms were discharged because the Arakan Army (AA) attacked Tatmadaw soldiers who were working to ensure stability in the area. But he added that he did not know if anyone was killed or injured in the fighting.
 
“There are Tatmadaw forces guarding government buildings. Some are guarding bank branches. Some are near Mahar Kankyishin Pagoda. The AA soldiers attacked them about three times. That’s why the Tatmadaw returned fire,” he said.
 
The AA released a statement on February 3 saying Tatmadaw soldiers from Light Infantry Division No. 55, which has about 230 members, was responsible for Monday’s civilian casualties.