Junta forces open fire on passenger car in Thandwe-Taungup highway, driver killed, 2 injured

The junta forces on 22 April opened fire on a passenger car at Tada Oo checkpoint in Shwe Hlay village on Thandwe-Taungup highway of  Rakhine State resulting in  death of the driver and injuries to a woman and a fish seller.

The deceased driver is identified as Ko Soe Thu. The injured woman was an employee of the electric power corporation.

"The car was shot because it didn't stop at the checkpoint. Now the cars are not allowed to pass through checkpoints. The said driver died on the spot," said a villager.

The woman was inside the car and the fish seller was driving an auto rickshaw on the road side. Both sustained serious injuries because of gunshots.

The auto carried ice buckets full of fishes and it was hit by a bullet. Both the injured individuals were taken to Taungup hospital.

On the same day, intense clashes erupted between the junta forces and Arakan Army (AA) fighters in several villages including old Daw Mya, Pa Yit, Yae Kauk, and Sue Poke Kone. All these villages are  located within one mile from the Tha Htay hydropower project in Thandwe township.

During the clashes, the junta soldiers suffered a number of casualties. They also conducted airstrikes, whereas naval vessels were used for firing artillery shells towards Daw Mya village.

The junta forces have already closed all checkpoints along the route from Thandwe to Taungup localities since 4 pm on 22 April.