IMNA : Three Pagoda Pass has reported fighting between Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and Burmese soldiers in Mekata, near Three Pagoda Pass (TPP). All the while the Karen National Union (KNU) has surrounded the town of TPP, but not yet entered.
Fighting began at 12:10 p.m. today and lasted about twenty minutes. The battle began at Quarter 4 in TPP, moved to the Sa Ya Pha (Burmese Military Security Affairs Unit) office, then the Forest Department. 20 missiles were used on top of many Kalashnikovs (AKAs).
During fighting all telephone connections were unavailable but they have resumed now. One Burmese soldier is reported to have been wounded and the DKBA has now retreated.
TPP residents started running from the fighting after they heard the noise of the weapons.
The check point between the Thai-Burma border at TPP is currently closed to Thai people entering or leaving the TPP area. Those Thais who entered TPP cannot go back to Thailand, and Thais on the Thai side cannot enter the Burmese side.
Residents of TPP, making offerings at the monastery, also started running when they heard the gunfire.
