Two arrested for suspected involvement in attack on Tatmadaw truck 

By Aung Kaung Zaw 25 Oct 2020

Aung Kaung Zaw | DMG
25 October, Kyaukphyu 

Two suspects were arrested after a military vehicle was rocked by a landmine blast last week in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, according to a statement issued by the Tatmadaw True News Information Team. 

The Arakan Army attacked the truck carrying security personnel with three remote-controlled mines near Yaynanthu Bridge, between Sanae and Awataung villages, at about 10 a.m. on October 21, the Tatmadaw said in a statement over the weekend. 

The two suspects were arrested near the bridge at around 1:30 p.m. on the day of the attack, the October 24 statement said. 

The suspects have been identified as 20-year-old Ko Aung Myo Lwin aka Nyi Nyi, from Sabeichaung village, and 31-year-old Maung Moe Pyan aka Maung Maung Chay, from Dway Chay village in Kyaukphyu Township. 

Ko Aung Myo Lwin’s mother, Daw Ma Aung Myint, demanded his release, saying he had nothing to do with the mine blast. 

“My son went to Sanae to buy alcohol to have with friends and he was arrested by the Tatmadaw at about 4 p.m. on October 21. I was not allowed to see him,” she added. 

According to locals, at least two soldiers were killed and several others were injured in the landmine blast. The Tatmadaw did not disclose the number of casualties in its statement. 

The two suspects would be transferred to Kyaukphyu Myoma police station for further investigation in accordance with the law, the Tatmadaw True News Information Team said. 

DMG contacted Police Captain Kyaw Zaw, head of the Kyaukphyu Myoma police station, to find out whether the two detainees had arrived at the police station as of October 25, and he replied that they had not yet. 

Family members of the men said they had heard of the arrests by the military but had not received any information about them so far. 

DMG did not contact the Arakan Army for comment because the government has declared the ethnic armed organisation to be a terrorist group, making communications with its members legally jeopardous.