According to the residents, the Kokang armed resistance group reportedly launched an attack on two Military Council camps, including the No. 2 Police Station, located in the center of Lashio, Shan State.
According to the residents' accounts shared with the Shan Herald, at approximately 3:00 a.m. on June 5, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) reportedly entered the Kanmein Monastery situated in downtown Lashio. Subsequently, they opened fire on the No. 2 Police Station, which is under the control of the Military Council, in Ward 12.
"At approximately 3 o'clock, gunfire erupted. Over 80 Kokang forces positioned themselves near Kanmein monastery and opened fire on the No. 2 police station. The shooting continued for about thirty minutes. It is likely that there will be casualties among the police station personnel, although the exact details are still unknown," a woman in her 40s from Lashio told the Shan Herald.
According to local sources, the shooting at the No. 2 Police Station involved the use of artillery shells and small arms. They further reported that bullet holes were visible on the door and walls of the police station as a result of the incident.
According to the locals, the sound of gunfire from the No. 2 Police Station persisted for nearly half an hour. Shortly after the gunfire was heard in that area, residents also reported hearing gunfire coming from Manaing village in Lashio Township.
"The Kokang troops advanced towards Manaing from the Konenyaung route. They fired approximately 10 gunshots and 2 artillery shells at the Military Council troops stationed there and then retreated. However, the Military Council took positions in residential houses and villages and continued to fire unilaterally for over 10 minutes," a man from Lashio told Shan Herald.
The local residents further reported that Military Council troops entered Manaing village and engaged in a shooting confrontation with the Kokang armed resistance group (MNDAA). As a result, bullets and shells were observed in the village.
Regarding the shootings in Manaing village, he added that the Kokang armed resistance group from Manaing might have arrived as reinforcements to support the group near Kanmein Monastery and engage in gunfire to facilitate their exit.
"In my opinion, the No. 2 police station and Manaing village are like opposite ends, with one in the north and the other in the south. So, the Kokang armed resistance group created an opportunity for the groups in Kanmein monastery to escape from the town. You could clearly identify the Kokang forces by looking at their badges," the man explained.
The Kokang armed resistance group (MNDAA), which was involved in clashes with the Military Council in Lashio, participated in discussions with the NSPNC under the Military Council. The talks took place in Mongla Township on June 1 and 2, with the presence of the Three Brotherhood Alliance.
Despite the Military Council's announcement of a one-year ceasefire, but the ethnic armed forces are still being targeted and attacked.
