15 suspects arrested for involvement in attacks in W. Myanmar

Myanmar authorities have arrested 15 suspects for involvement in Oct. 9 attacks on three border posts in Maungtaw, Myanmar's western Rakhine state, official media reported Tuesday.

They were arrested when the government troops were conducting area clearance operation in the area.

A body was also found between Wapeik and Kathkelpyin villages in Maungtaw.

The authorities are taking action on the captured.

Meanwhile, a house belonging to a local administration in charge of some 100 households in Kyaukpantu village in Maungtaw was set on fire by an unidentified group attackers in the weekend, according to the Information Committee of the State Counselor's Office.

The group threw a bottle of petrol with a flaming fuse onto the roof of the house.

The authorities are in pursuit of the perpetrators of the arson.

The authorities claimed earlier that dozens of suspects involved in Oct. 9 attacks had also been arrested.

Interrogation were underway on the captured suspects.

A series of fightings followed after nine policemen and five soldiers were killed in a violent attack 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 is still being imposed on Maungtaw since Oct. 10. Enditem