HEAVY fighting is raging just across from Mae Sot town as Myanmar junta troops clash with Karen resistance fighters with Thai villagers near the combat zone fleeing after bullets flew across the border and riddled two houses while 10 Chinese scammers also crossed over and surrendered, PPTVHD36 said this evening (Dec. 12).
At noon today a large contingent of Myanmar junta soldiers from the 22nd Light Infantry Division, armed with heavy weapons, attacked Karen resistance soldiers entrenched in Pa Sak forest along the Moei River en route to Minletpan town in Myawaddy Township, directly across from Mae Sot district, Tak province.
With the clash involving grenade launchers and other military weapons, including heavy machine guns and being so close to the border, villagers of Mae Kon Ken village, Mae Sot district, scrambled to find safe places to shelter from stray bullets.
Latest reports indicate that the fighting will likely intensify as Myanmar junta troops have reinforced their positions with heavy weaponry, intensifying clashes to seize and suppress all border towns in insurgent groups’ hands before the general election.
At the height of fighting 10 Chinese scammers residing at Minletpan town crossed the Moei river and surrendered to Thai security forces guarding the border at Mae Sot district. They were subsequently arrested and will be prosecuted according to international standards, with assistance also simultaneously provided.
Meanwhile, two houses on the Thai bank of the Moei river at Mae Kon Ken village, Mahawan subdistrict, Mae Sot district, were damaged by machinegun rounds of unknown source flying across the border.
Mr. Somsak, 53, one of the families whose house was hit by machinegun fire, said he and his wife were working within when they heard gunfire at the border. Military-grade bullets then crossed over and penetrated their house, with many more landing around it. He got terrified and quickly ran to take cover under the house until the gunfire ceased. He and his wife then fled the house immediately and notified the Border Patrol Police.
CAPTIONS:
Above and Front Page – Thai villagers fled for lives as Myanmar junta troops clashed with Karen resistance fighters. Photos – PPTVHD36 stringer
Insert – One of two houses damaged by gunfire. Photo – PPTVHD36 stringer
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