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2 Myanmar cops killed in a mine attack by Arakan Army


Published : 26 Oct 2019 09:16 PM | Updated : 02 Sep 2020 12:43 AM

Two policemen died and five people were injured in a remote-detonated mine attack on a police truck on Thursday at Buthidaung Township of Rakhine State in Myanmar, the Irrawaddy, a Myanmar English daily said coating the Ministry of Information of Myanmar.

A statement released by the Myanmar Information Ministry on Friday said, the truck was carrying members of the border guard police force and escorting a prisoner transport vehicle on its way back from Maungdaw District Court to Buthidaung Township when it came under attack just outside the township.

Fourteen police were in the truck and 10 defendants from the court were in the prisoner transport vehicle, according to the Information Ministry. The Arakan Army (AA) attacked the vehicles with remote-detonated explosive devices as well as small arms.

Five police officers and two defendants were injured in the attack and two of the injured policemen succumbed to their injuries. Other injured persons were receiving treatment at the military hospital in Buthidaung.

“As far as I know, suspects detained at Buthidaung Prison were brought to trial at Maungdaw District Court. As they were coming back around 4 p.m., the police truck escorting the prisoners was attacked,” Maungdaw District Administrator U Soe Aung told The Irrawaddy.

Lower House lawmaker U Aung Thaung Shwe of Buthidaung Township said he had heard about the mine attack on the border guard police truck but didn’t know if prisoners were injured.

Rakhine State Chief of Police Colonel Kyi Lin confirmed the incident but said he did not know details.

The Irrawaddy was unable to obtain comment from Maungdaw border guard police force commander Brigadier-General Myint Toe about the incident.