NP News - Mar 13

Fire exchange occurred between Pa-O National Army and allied forces of Karenni National Defense Forces and #PDF_terrorists in Pinlaung Township located in #Pa_O territory since February 24. 

Clashes occurred Lonepyin village, Pinlaung Township that is located in the Pa-O Self-Administrative Zone. 

Rumours and disinformation arisen, by the exiled news media, that the Military and the PNO torched the residential areas.

In fact, the State armed forces (Tatmadaw) assist the Pa-O Army in the clash on the ground of national security and national stability, Pa-O leader Khun Tun Shwe said, continuing that both Pa-O Army and Tatmadaw did not destroy or attack the residential villages. 

Spokesperson of the State Administration Council, Major General Zaw Min Tun, denied and said, “We fought back the KNPPs, PDFs and KNDFs. There are disinformation that villagers were killed. There were incidents in where villagers were killed in the blind shooting of the PDFs. Here, I would say, the KNDF and PDF try to destruct the stability of the Pa-O territory. Then, they made rumours and disinformation to spark flames between Tatmadaw, Pa-O Army and the Pa-O people’s militia.” 

More than 8000 indigenous living in Pinlaung including Pa-O, Kayan and Shan ethnics fled and displaced due to the clashes. At least 60 residential houses were reportedly burnt down in the clashes. 

“The PNA (Pa-O National Army) doesn’t comment or make remark good or bad on the PDFs. We just want our Pa-O territory peaceful and stable with good socio-economic conditions. We don’t invade our land. But we have to take responsibility for the tranquility of our land. We have to defend our territory,” Khun Tun Shwe said. 

The Pa-O leader Khun Tun Shwe continued that the Pa-O National Army/ Organization doesn’t want to conduct any demerit act both to the State and others’ territories, saying that the ongoing clash isn’t commenced by the PNO but by the KNDF and PDF.