Maj Gen Pang Fa, the leader of the Shan State Army (SSA) ‘North’s, the group that has been fighting with the Burma Army for more than a week, has notified his fighters and people under his controlled areas yesterday that no one need to be impressed by the junta’s games and swayed by its plan whatever its tactics are, according to sources from the SSA.

The fact is because the junta will try many ways, both soft and hard, to destroy any group that does not comply with its wishes, Maj Gen Pangfa was quoted as saying.

“I therefore would like you all, the fighters, not to feel impressed by nor underestimate the enemy. Be careful on every single act of them and don’t let yourself tricked by them. You cannot afford to trust your enemy,” Pangfa said.

He then recalled that the group had concluded ceasefire agreement with the Burma Army in order to bring development to the life of the people.

“However, things have not changed even although two decades has passed by. They were just forcing us to be under their control and they are now attacking us. This is evident,” Sao Pangfa said.

In addition, everyone is warned that anyone who betrays the group will be given heavy punishment.

A Sino-Burma border watcher commented that his message is likely to be related to the recent report of the junta, released on 20 March, that some of his fighters led by Sai Mon surrendered to the junta on 19 March in Shan State North’s Tangyan with 11 units of small arms, one sub-machine gun, one BA (93), 291 assorted rounds of ammunition, 16 BA (93) grenades and its nine bullets, 15 assorted magazines, one bandolier, and three land mines.

The SSA and the BA has been fighting since 13 March up to date. The military junta is still sending in reinforcements to the SSA area, including mules and horses, according to the latest report.