Armed insurgents and radical terrorists are attacking innocent civilians and honest businessmen with weapons, committing acts of violence, murder, and robbery. They are also imposing taxes under the guise of tax collection. Those who do not comply with their demands face kidnapping; furthermore, assassinations and mine detonations are being carried out.
Since they are conducting such terrorist acts, on 7 February at 4:40 PM, a report stated that an improvised explosive device, believed to be a local mine, exploded in front of the “Sann Shwin” Hotel located on Thukha Street in Area (11), No. (7) Ward, Lashio Town, Northern Shan State. Security personnel and witnesses promptly arrived at the scene and conducted an inspection. During the investigation, it was found that U Saypalal (27 years old), a security employee of the hotel, who lives in Area (10), No. (7) Ward, sustained an injury to his right wrist from mine shrapnel. Additionally, Ma Chaw Su Aung (18 years old), who lives in Area (4), No. (5) Ward, and was passing by the hotel at the time, sustained injuries to her neck and left knee from mine shrapnel. Both injured individuals were transported to Lashio Township Public Hospital for medical treatment.
According to witnesses and nearby CCTV footage of the incident, two males arrived by a KENBO 110 motorcycle and parked it on the roadside in front of the hotel before leaving the scene. Shortly thereafter, an explosion occurred at the location of the motorcycle, it is reported.
Further investigation revealed that the KIO/KIA armed insurgent group, which is linked to the mine explosion at the Sann Shwin Hotel, had previously sent a written notice to the hotel on 3 February. The notice demanded extortion so-called tax payment before February 5th and threatened severe action if the hotel failed to comply. The hotel rejected these demands, leading the insurgent group to carry out the previously mentioned mine detonation. Consequently, a case has been opened against two males from the KIO/KIA armed insurgent group at the Lashio Myoma Police Station under Sections 50(a), 50(i), and 54 of the Counter-Terrorism Law. The arrest of the accused is currently ongoing, it is reported.
The motorcycle that was utilized in the mine detonation incident.
The threatening letter dated 3 February, 2024, the KIO/KIA armed insurgent group addressed the “Sann Shwin” Hotel,
located on Thukha Street in Area (11), No. (7) Ward, Lashio Town.
The location of the “Sann Shwin” Hotel, where the mine explosion carried out by
KIO/KIA armed insurgents took place.
U Saypalal (27 years old) and Ma Chaw Su Aung (18 years old),
were injured in the mine explosion.
