An 81 mm mortar was shot at the Ah-lae Po-htaw camp located on the Dawna Mountain range along the Myawaddy-Kawkareik road in Karen State, a major trading route from Mae Sot, Thailand, at around 11 am this past Saturday morning. The explosion killed four civilians, including one child, leaving twelve civilians injured, confirmed Kawkareik Hospital staff.
“There was no sound of fighting near the area [of the explosion]. The mortar was fired from far away, and fell at [a] collection of shops [and restaurants] at Ah-law Po-htaw, and hit passengers taking rest there [sic]. Three passengers died right on the spot, while another passenger died later at the [Kaykarweik] hospital,” said one Kawkareik Hospital staff member, adding that those who suffered serious injuries were also taken to the Kawkareik Hospital.
There are currently several non-state armed groups active in Karen State, leaving questions as to which group is responsible for the explosion.
“What exploded there was [an] 81 mm [mortar], it [could not] reach [the location of the explosion] from where we are. There are many armed groups in Karen State, so it is not easy to know which group fired that [mortar],” explained Tactical Operation Commander of the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) Klo Htoo Baw Colonel Saw San Aung in an interview with IMNA.
Colonel Saw San Aung denied any DKBA responsibility in the firing of such an artillery shell.
Meanwhile, fighting is confirmed to have broken out that same morning of October 11th between the DKBA and government troops in Kannyi Naung Village, Hlaing Bwe Township. Both sides fired heavy weapons against one another, burning the village and causing residents to flee the area.
According to a DKBA officer, while DKBA and government troops were exchanging gunfire near Kawkareik Town on October 10th, fighting between the DKBA, led by Colonel Saw Be, and government troops also took place at three locations in the Maethawor area, Hlaing Bwe Township, Karen State.
Fighting between government troops and the DKBA’s Klo Htoo Baw began in late September as fighting broke out in Mon State, neighboring state of Karen State. Clashes took place on September 26th at Kayin-taw Village, Kalaing-kanaing Village Track, as well as September 27th at Shwe War Chaung Village, Kyaikmayaw Township, Mon State.
