The second in command of the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) was assassinated at close range by a gunman in Sagaing Region.

Maj-Gen Sao Khun Kyaw, SNA deputy commander-in-chief died on May 27, a day after being shot.

“The gunman penetrated (SNA's) inner circle before he shot Sao Khun Kyaw,” Col Hsur Sai Htun, SNA spokesperson told NMG. During the attack, two of his bodyguards were wounded. The assailant was killed during the incident.

Hsur Sai Htun said the attacker didn't have a grudge with the Shanni leader he said, the “enemy planned it and made it happen. The assassination was a brutal attack and our response to it will be strong,” adding that an investigation is underway. Sao Khun Kyaw's death is a tremendous loss for the Shanni nationalities movement, the spokesperson explained.

Sao Khun Kyaw (aka Myint Soe and Than Chaung) was born in Maw Han village, Mohnyin Township, Kachin State. During Burma's 1988 uprising, he joined the armed struggle, moving to Kachin Independence Army's (KIA) controlled area and becoming the vice-chairman and chief of staff for All Burma Students' Democratic Front – Northern Burma (ABSDF-NB).

After KIA signed a ceasefire in 1994, Sao Khun Kyaw and some other ABSDF members continued resisting the regime in areas of Shan State controlled by Shan State Progress Party and Shan State National Army. But the junta pressured both groups to ostracize the Shanni leader after they signed ceasefires.

Sao Khun Kyaw joined the Restoration Council of Shan State, which formed in 1999. In 2006, during a military operation, he was captured and sentenced to death. Sao Khun Kyaw received a pardon under the National League for Democracy government. After his release, he was appointed as SNA's deputy commander-in-chief.

Sao Khun Kyaw is survived by his wife Daw Mar Mar Htun and their two daughters.