THE Gokteik Viaduct lies on Mandalay-Lashio road link­ing Nawnghkio Township and Kyaukme in Shan State (North).

At present, TNLA armed terrorists are committing ter­ror acts based in Kyaukme and surrounding areas in northern Shan State. Yester­day morning, they brutally exploded the Gokteik Viaduct — one of Myanmar’s signifi­cant landmarks and a world wonder — by planting mines. As a result, the viaduct’s ap­proach structure (AB 2) on the Kyaukme side, pier No P 16, and a 60-foot section of steel deck between approach structure (AB 2) and the pier were damaged.

It is reported that the act of TNLA armed terrorists, who maliciously and senselessly planted mines and destroyed a prominent and historic land­marks of the country unre­lated to military affairs, has been completely rejected and strongly condemned by the entire public. Security forces will continue to carry out nec­essary and decisive operations to eradicate the terrorists and to ensure local peace, stability, and security. — GNLM