Burmese Army soldiers based in Shan State South in Mongnawng reportedly staged a mock battle near ceasefire areas, local sources said.

“The attack was organized with the twofold aim that villagers abstain from supporting rebel groups and probably to make up a report for their superiors,” a local resident in Mongnawng said.

The mock attack was mounted on 18 October by the Infantry Battalion (IB) #286 led by Captain Ye Myint Kyaw. It was said to have taken place near Mongnang, about three miles west of Mongnawng.

“Before the attack, they came to pick up a Tolaji (farm tractor) from the village including men and headed to the west of the village,” a villager said. “They fired their weapons for a few minutes. Afterwards, they [soldiers] arrested villagers and beat them up saying they did not inform the military about the rebel groups.”

The event followed real clashes that had taken place in the area. On 16 October, a three truck convoy coming to Mongnawng along the Monghsu-Mongnawng road was ambushed near Wiang Kao, about five miles north of Mongnawng. A Captain Sithu from Infantry Battalion #286 was reportedly killed on the spot.

The next day, four police officers guarding a checkpoint between Mongnawng and Wanzing (a large village south of Mongnawng), were attacked by four resistance fighters posing as cowherds, resulting in one officer being killed.

In addition, more Burmese Army units were deployed around the SSA ‘North’ First Brigade main base Wanhai on 20 October. So far, LIB# 9 is based in Loilem, LIB#131 in Kehsi and LIB#287 in Wanzing in Kehsi Township, local sources said.

“Wherever they [solider] arrived they took villagers’ properties such as rice, money and chicken and even eggs,” a villager from Haipa said.