Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – In the wake of the murderous ambush on the Burmese police force on the Mekong River, in the Golden Triangle on February 20, which left 14 policemen dead and missing, the junta has beefed up security in the area and sealed the international border with Laos.

"There is a tactical command controlled by the Military Operation Command No. 18 in this area. A 200-strong people's militia force led by this tactical command is monitoring people at the checkpoints," an officer from Tachileik told Mizzima.

Soon after the attack about two to three battalions were sent to Wan Pong as reinforcements, Shan Narcotic Drugs Watch group member U Sein Kyi said.

The gunmen of drug lord Naw Kham ambushed three patrol boats transporting policemen and personnel of the anti-narcotics special police force on the Mekong River last Saturday, which left 11 dead and three missing. Two survived the attack with gunshot injuries and were sent to Rangoon General Hospital on February 22.

A joint force of the local police and soldiers began combing operations in the area yesterday and found two more bodies. The bodies are of Corporal Zin Lin Maung and a boatman but the body of police Sub-Inspector Thant Zin has not yet been found.

"The remains of the boatman were left in Wan Pong. Zin Lin Maung's body was badly decomposed and was cremated," the local authorities said.

The funeral was attended by the state police chief.