Incident in Pinlaung Township: SAC Information Team Leader replied the media enquiry

Leader of the State Administration Council Information Team Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun replied the media enquiry concerning the accusations of some media on the death of three members of the Sangha and residents at Namneim monastery in Pinlaung Township.

The Maj-Gen said Pinlaung region is included in the Pa-O Self-Administered Zone. It is peaceful and stable. For many years, Tatmadaw as well as the government on its part has been carrying out development tasks in the zone. Although some clashes happen in Kayah State with instability close to that region, Pa-O Self-Administered Zone is really enjoying the fruits of peace and stability and development.

It is because the local people’s militia, PNLO organization and Tatmadaw members cooperate with each other in the region. In early March, it was seen that KNPF/KNPP/PDF terrorist groups in the southern part of Pinlaung region disturbed and attacked the Pa-O region.

On 11 March, KNPF/KNPP terrorist groups entered Namneim Village of Pinlaung Township and committed posing threats to the village as well as the region. So, Tatmadaw in cooperation with the local people’s militia took security measures for the region.

At 9 am on 11 March, KNPF/KNPP/PDF terrorists started attacks on Tatmadaw columns and local people’s militia. They committed ambushes in the fighting. Then, those groups entered the peaceful and stable Namneim Village and then opened fire. We performed counterattacks on these groups and seized some dead bodies and arms.

After 3 pm, one more skirmish happened there. With regard to the incident, those terrorists came to the Pa-O region with the aim of destroying the peace and development of the region. They committed instigation between Pa-O local people, Pa-O people’s militia and local security troops enjoying fruits of stability and the Tatmadaw. We counterattacked KNPF/KNPP/PDF groups.

But misinformation was disseminated that villagers were killed. When KNPF/KNPP/PDF terrorist groups violently opened fire, it was seen that some villagers were killed and injured. Some villagers ran away. I mean as the Pa-O region has been peaceful and stable for years, KNPF/KNPP groups from the southern area spread such kinds of information among the government, Tatmadaw and local Pa-O people to destroy the peace and stability of the Pa-O region. I would like to point out that they are crime breakers and war crime breakers.

I would like to disclose that our Tatmadaw will violently take further action against KNPF/KNPP/PDF groups which are committed to harming the peace and stability of the Pa-O region and the life and property of Pa-O people according to the security measures.