2 soldiers killed, several injured in renewed clashes in Myanmar western state

Two soldiers have been killed and several others injured in renewed clashes in Myanmar's western Rakhine state, as the government troops conducted the clearance operation, the military-run Myawaddy News reported Sunday.

The government troops were ambushed by about 60 attackers armed with guns, knives and spears near Mayintaung village on Saturday, and the bodies of six attackers were claimed along with some weapons after the skirmish.

In the area clearance operation near Pwintphyuchaung village, the government troops arrested 36 men believed to be the attackers who set fire to the village, said the report.

When approaching another village of Gwason in search of the attackers, the government troops were shot by about 500 armed men, the report said.

The government troops were outnumbered by the attackers until two helicopters of the Air Force fired on the attackers, forcing them to retreat.

In another incident on the same day, a convoy of border guard force in Kyikanpyin of Maungtaw was ambushed at Baily Bridge by violent attackers near Maunghnama village where the bridge was exploded, with no one being injured but a vehicle damaged.

The government troops were pursuing the attackers, the report added.

A series of fightings broke out after nine policemen and five soldiers were killed in violent attacks by armed men on Oct.9 on three border posts in Kyikanpyin of Maungtaw, Kotankauk of Rathedaung and Ngakhuya Office.

Islamic extremists were exposed as being involved in the attacks, which were supported financially by foreign terrorist organizations, the government said.

A dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed on Maungtaw since Oct.10. Enditem