Buthidaung: After an unidentified reconnaissance aircraft was spotted taking photographs of military bases, the Burmese Army in the Buthidaung cantonment has been put on high alert. The incident occurred last week, said a source close to the army.

"An unidentified reconnaissance plane flew over Buthidaung last week taking photographs. The authorities knew a plane had intruded into Burma's airspace on that day," the source said.

After the incident, army authorities put security forces in the area on high alert.

Buthidaung, 80 miles north of Sittwe, has the largest military base in western Burma, with at least 15 army battalions, including an artillery battalion. A brigade, called Sakakha 15 in Burmese, and the Military Operation Planning Bureau are also stationed in the area.

"Burmese Army officers’ suspect the reconnaissance aircraft belonged to the US Air Force, but have not officially disclosed so," the source said quoting a military officer.

The Burmese military authorities in the area are worried about the unidentified aircraft intruding into their territory.

It has also been learnt that Kha Kha Kyi, the Defence Bureau in Burma's new capital Naypyidaw, is also aware of the incident. Some senior and technical officials from the Burmese Air Force have been sent to Buthidaung to investigate the intrusion.