5 January
As a result of massive coordinated attacks launched by the AA insurgent group on four border police outposts in Buthidaung township of Rakhine State yesterday morning, 9 police personnel were injured and 13 lost their lives, it is learnt.
The massive coordinated attacks which occurred at 6:45 a.m., involved the use of small and heavy firearms. An estimated 100 group of AA insurgents attacked Ngamyinbaw police outpost, an estimated 100 group of AA insurgents attacked the Kyaungtaung police outpost, an estimated 50 group of AA insurgents attacked the Gokepi police outpost, and an estimated 100 group of AA insurgents attacked the Khahtihla police outpost.
Immediately after the incidents occurred, patrolling columns from the number 8 Border Police Company and Tatmadaw columns rushed to these outposts to provide support. They arrived at Ngamyinbaw outpost at 9:35 a.m., Kyaungtaung outpost at 12:15 p.m., Gokepi outpost at 9:20 a.m. and Khahtihla outpost at 9:30 a.m. to provide assistance and support.
Before the relief columns arrived at the Ngamyinbaw outpost and Kyaungtaung outpost, due to more pressure exerted by the AA insurgent group, the police personnel at these outposts had to abandon these outposts. Gokepi outpost and Khahtihla outpost received heavy artillery backup from Tatmadaw columns at around 7:30 a.m.
The police in these outposts put up a stiff resistance. The AA insurgents tried to overrun these outposts using superior numbers. However, in spite of their efforts to break down the fence they failed in their attempt to take over these outposts so the insurgents surrounded the two outposts. Beginning from 8:10 a.m. in the morning, two Tatmadaw helicopters provided air support. Tatmadaw relief military columns used massive firepower to break through the insurgent lines surrounding the two outposts.
By using speed and force, the relief columns of the Tatmadaw were able to join forces with the defenders at 9:30 a.m. It is learnt that the AA insurgents withdrew to the east.
As a result of these attacks launched by the AA insurgent group, 9 police personnel were killed and 2 were injured from the Ngamyinbaw police outpost. From the Kyaungtaung police outpost, 2 police personnel were killed and 1 police was injured. From the Gokepi police outpost, 3 police personnel were injured. From the Khahtihla police outpost, 2 police personnel were killed and 3 were injured.
In this incident, a total of 13 police personnel lost their lives and 9 were injured. An assorted number of 40 firearms, 16111 rounds of assorted ammunitions, and one walkie-talkie were lost. It is learnt that Tatmadaw military columns and combined forces are in hot pursuit of the insurgents by blocking their escape routes. Villagers from the four villages which are in the vicinity of the four border police outposts have abandoned their villages. Efforts are being made to locate them.
The Union Government has been working strenuously with special focus for peace and development of Rakhine State. These acts of terrorist attacks by the AA further complicate the current situation.
This is a carefully planned premeditated attack to harm the lives and property of the people and to further aggravate the instability in the Rakhine State. It is learnt that the security forces will take effective offensive actions to crush the terrorist attacks of the AA.
—MNA
(Translated by Kyaw Myaing)
