Burma Army soldiers put to flight

_{By: Kwarn Lake (Tel:++6683 9474191)}
 
Patrolling in Panniu village, Mong Keung Township, a unit from the SSA's Aung Pay Hseuk Force, commanded by Lt-Col Pawng Kherh, on 10 March encountered Namzang based LIB 247's 30-men patrol led by Captain Nay Win. After an hour of clash, some members of Burma Army went missing, said a civilian source.

 _{Lt-Col Pawng Kherh}

A resident of Pangkaytu, Mong Keung Township said, "One of the soldiers escaped to our village. He told us nervously that his captain got wounded in his leg, three were killed, and six were missing while they lost three guns during the fighting. They could have been captured by the SSA".  
 
However, during the interview by the Shan Herald, Major Lao Hseng, Spokesperson for Restoration Council of Shan State/ Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) said, “We seized two guns but we didn’t capture any soldiers.”
 
“It is possible that they [those missing] took the opportunity to desert as there has been oppression by officers on their men,” he added.
 
The number of clashes between the SSA and Burma Army has increased since the beginning this month, reported  Shan Herald on 17 March.

When asked why, Lao Hseng appointed out that Burma Army units have been patrolling to different villages to issue ID cards to villagers so that they could vote to support the draft constitution during the referendum in May. Some battalions are also guarding the coal mines in Mong Nang, Mong Nawng sub-township, an area controlled by the SSA, said Lao Hseng.

Related story: Increased clashes precede referendum, 17 March 2008