Eight Burmese Army soldiers were killed and 14 injured following an ambush by the KNU in Pai Kyon Township, Pa-an district, Karen state yesterday.

KNU’s armed wing, the KNLA’s soldiers ambushed Burmese Army Infantry Battalion 62 under MOC 19 of Puu Luu military camp. When IB 62 was patrolling the Say Pho Khe area, which is under the control of KNU, for confronting the KNLA battalion 22, its soldiers ambushed IB 62, Pha Doh Saw Aung Maw Aye, chairman of KNU's Pa-an district, said.

"Our forces ambushed IB 62 under MOC 19, which was patrolling to take on the KNLA battalion 22, in Say Pho Khe area at noon. Eight troopers of the Burmese Army were killed on the spot and 14 injured. Among those killed was the second commanding officer of Burmese Army’s IB 62. No one was hurt on our side," he added.

The gun battle continued for half an hour. Then the Burmese Army retraced its steps after the casualties on their side. It is learnt that the Burmese Army took 20 villagers as porters from Say Pho Khe and Mae Lar Ar Khe villages to carry away the injured soldiers and returned to its Tar Lay military camp.

According to locals, junta’s forces with the injured troopers went back to Shwe Kukko village, Myawaddy.

There have been four gun battles between KNU and Burmese Army troops during July and early August in Pa-an district. The junta’s forces lost a number of soldiers. There are 10 battalions under the MOC 19, DKBA brigade 999 and KNU battalions of brigade 7 patrolling Pa-an district.