Two Burmese Army officers and two Chinese teak traders from Taunggyi were killed by each other in Kholam, Namzang Township, after quarreling over division of the proceeds from teak trading, according to SHAN sources.

The shooting occurred on July 13, at 18:00 hours, between Deputy Commander, Major Aung Thiha and Capt Aye San Win of Infantry Battalion No. 66, based in Kholam and two Chinese teak traders U Soe (54) and Zaw Htoo, (50) at U Soe's house. They died instantly, said a source.

U Soe and Zaw Htoo were from Taunggyi and bought a house in Kholam while trading in teak, according to a source.

"Before U Soe and Zaw Htoo were to have dinner, the army officers went to ask for their share and quarreled with them," a villager told SHAN. "One of U Soe's followers started to shoot at the officials and the officers returned the fire."

There was no one providing security to the officers and the officers were in plain clothes, according to another source.

There was no other casualty.

Before the incident occurred, local authorities in Kholam had banned teak trading from the Keng Tawng forest, Mongnai Township, Langkhur district, according to sources.

Breaking news of the shooting was reported by SHAN on July 14. However, SHAN then had reported that the four men had been killed by others.