People's Defense Forces Attack Myanmar Military Vehicles: Major To Lieutenant Killed, Seize Two Machine Guns

Weapons and Myanmar police ID cards that were confiscated (Source: Guest PDF via Myanmar Now)

JAKARTA - People's Defense Forces (PDF) fighters in Tamu Township, Sagaing Region claimed to have killed five police officers, including a major who led an anti-narcotics unit, when they attacked a military vehicle using hand-made explosives on Monday afternoon.

The officers were traveling to Kalay on military duty in Mitsubishi Pajero fours when fighters detonated explosives between the villages of Wi Toke and Yan Lin Hpai, said Thar Gyi, spokesman for Battalion 3 Guest PDF.

The attack was carried out under the supervision of a PDF leader named Zee Kwat, he added.

"It started with an explosion of explosives and then ended with a brief clash. We collected our belongings and came back after the clashes," Thar Gyi explained, as reported by Myanmar Now January 18.

PDF said those killed consisted of Police Major Thaung Myint, commander of the anti-narcotics unit, Police Captain Win Naing, Police Lieutenant Moe Htet Naing, Corporal Zaw Min Aung and Corporal Lance Kyaw Zin Hteik.

"The attackers confiscated a revolver, two MA-13 submachine guns, ammunition, Kevlar vests and police uniforms," said Guest PDF.

A photo seen by Myanmar Now shows a wrecked car with the bodies of a slain police officer strewn nearby. PDF guests released photos of seized weapons and police uniforms.

Police Major Thaung Myint was in Guest on Monday, to testify in the drug case. He traveled from Kalay to Tamu with two corporals.

Meanwhile, Police Captain Win Naing, who was transferred from Tamu to Pathein, and Police Lieutenant Moe Htet Naing, who was transferred to Yangon, boarded the major's vehicle on their way home.

To note, last week Guest PDF killed several prison guards and lost two of their own fighters during an attack on the Oak Pho Kanbaung labor camp on the Indian border.

On the same day as the attack, soldiers arrested and interrogated residents of the nearby village of Watshu.

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