The Parsel Bomb And The Shot Of Myanmar's Largest Prison Guncang, The Anti-Jonta Group: Taking Care Of Min Aung Hlaing For Continuing To Industry

Insein Prison in Myanmar. (Wikimedia Commons/Phyo WP)

JAKARTA - The parsel bomb exploded in Myanmar's biggest prison on Wednesday, responded by soldiers in a confrontation that killed at least eight people, according to state media and eyewitnesses.

The anti-junta armed group claimed responsibility for the attack on Insein Prison in a statement posted on social media, calling it "retaliation against (the head of the junta) Min Aung Hlaing".

"Today, the Burmese Special Task Force (STA) carried out two attacks to execute the prison head. We are replying to Min Aung Hlaing and prison officials for continuing to oppress our revolutionary counterparts," he said.

State-owned MRTV said the explosion was caused by a 'ranjau in the package' that killed three prison officers and five visitors, and injured 18 people.

Meanwhile, an eyewitness at the injured location said gunfire also occurred after the bomb exploded at the counter of the package.

Witnesses told Reuters soldiers at the prison had opened fire in response to the explosion.

"As soon as I heard the explosion, I ran out and that's when I was injured. The soldiers at the entrance opened fire carelessly," said the witness, who declined to be named for security reasons.

Witnesses said they were about 10 feet (3 meters) from the explosion and were not injured by the explosion, but from the bullet fragments from the shots.

The seriously injured were evacuated from prison, while others were being treated at nearby shops. Several cases scheduled for trial in court were also dropped, according to the media.

Insein is the country's most famous prison, with thousands of political prisoners having been sent there since last year's coup.

Meanwhile, activist groups condemned the attack, and called on the perpetrators to "accountable for their actions".

Being one of dozens of independent resistance groups fighting against the military dictatorship in Myanmar, STA has carried out several attacks, including an attack in August at the immigration office of the township of Thingyun

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military toppled the elected government led by Nobel-winning party Aung San Suu Kyi, and launched brutal acts against dissent.