DEFENCE Services Technology Academy (DSTA) in Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay Region, Pyin Oo Lwin toll gate, Gote Twin Police Station in Nawnghkio Township, Nawnghkio toll gate, a narcotic inspection gate and a battalion headquarters came under small and heavy arm fire by a combined AA, TNLA and MNDAA armed group at about 5:30 am yesterday morning. Due to the attack two innocent civilians and three policemen were killed, 10 innocent civilians and two policemen wounded. The Police Force lost 17 small arms, six magazines, 1,312 bullets, a narcotic detector, a chemical detector and four Walkie Talkies. Three cars were destroyed and the floor of Gote Twin Bridge was sabotaged, preventing vehicle traffic over the bridge.

In the incident DSTA in Pyin Oo Lwin was fired on by 107 mm rockets from the east of the academy on the east side of Pyin Oo Lwin-Lashio road; two AA/TNLA/MNDAA personnel in civilian clothes on a car fired on Asia World Toll Gate and narcotic inspection gate with rocket propelled grenades (RPGs); Gote Twin Police Station in Nawnghkio Township, Nawnghkio toll gate and a battalion headquarters were fired on simultaneously by a combined AA, TNLA and MNDAA armed group at about 5:30 am, and the Tatmadaw troops returned fire.

As soon as the incident occurred, Tatmadaw columns reinforced Gote Twin Police Station, Nawnghkio toll gate and Asia World toll gate. While clearing the area six Type 63 107 mm rockets connected with wires to a battery prepared by AA/TNLA/ MNDAA were found on the east side of Pyin Oo Lwin-Lashio Road east of DSTA.

There were armed engagement with Tatmadaw columns near Nawnghkio narcotic inspection gate and Gote Twin Police Station. Of the wounded, five innocent civilians and one police personnel were being treated at Pyin Oo Lwin People’s Hospital.

According to news released by Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services and Myanmar Police Force, the incident was AA/TNLA/MNDAA conducting attacks and sabotage to threaten the rule of law in response to the seizure of drugs and drug making accessories worth more than K16 billion in Kutkai Township in 25 July; seizure of drugs worth about K 5 billion, ammunitions and related accessories in Rakhine State Yathedaung Township in 8 August; mounting casualties and military losses of AA in Rakhine State.—MNA (Translated by Zaw Min)