Six prisoners escaped after seizing weapons from guards at a prison operated by the Karen National Union (KNU) in the Payathonzu area of Kyainseikgyi Township, according to local sources.
The escape took place at around 10 a.m. on July 1, when the six prisoners reportedly overpowered prison guards, seized their weapons, and fled.
During the escape, the prisoners allegedly opened fire on a vehicle carrying members of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), forcing it to stop. They then seized the vehicle and additional weapons before continuing their escape.
Local residents also said the fugitives fired at KNU checkpoints and passing vehicles along their escape route.
“The six prisoners seized the guards’ guns and escaped. On the way, they stopped a DKBA vehicle, took both the vehicle and more weapons, and continued fleeing. They also fired their weapons as they escaped along the route. Since they are armed, people are concerned,” a Payathonzu resident close to the KNU told the Independent Mon News Agency.
As of July 3, the six escaped prisoners had not yet been recaptured.
According to local sources, the escapees include one prisoner serving a sentence for murder, while most of the others were imprisoned on drug-related charges.
A similar incident also occurred in 2024, when six prisoners escaped from the KNU prison in the Payathonzu area.
