Explosions and Shooting Increase Security Concerns on Eve of New Asia Highway Official Opening
Local residents said mortars and gunfire exploded yesterday morning on the new Myawaddy-Kawkariek Asia Highway.
A Karen soldier stationed close to the area and who heard the shooting said.
“The explosions sounded like three mortars and four or five shots of small guns. It lasted for about 10 minutes. The shooting seems be from the hillside close to the road [and aimed] towards the road. It was close to the DKBA’s gate.”
Karen News inquiries failed to identify which groups are responsible for the shooting. The government and its militia, the Border Guard Force intensified its security clearance operations in the area where the shooting of the mortars took place as preparations for the official opening ceremony of the new stretch of the Asia Highway opened today, August 30.
The government closed the Asian Highway for three days, from August 28 to 30 as it secure the area for the scheduled opening ceremony.
