Tension rises after Burmese troops

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Tension rises after Burmese troops and rebels clash 


February 20, 1999  
BORDER


Tension rises after Burmese troops and rebels clash
Supamart Kasem 
Tak


Tension has mounted and security has been stepped up along the Thai-Burmese
border in Tak since yesterday in the wake of fighting between the
anti-Rangoon Karen National Union guerrillas and Burmese troops opposite
Tha Song Yang District.

An army source said the Third Army yesterday sent two battalions of rapid
movement forces, more tanks and artillery guns to Tak's border areas
opposite the KNU's 7th Division in Ta Doh Tu Ta, Burma, which has been
surrounded by some 700 Burmese soldiers and breakaway 300 pro-Rangoon
Democratic Karen Buddhist Army troops since Tuesday.

The Thai soldiers are ready to fight to protect the sovereignty of the
country in case of encroachments by foreign troops, the source added.

According to the source, the KNU guerrillas led by Lt-Gen Htay Maung have
launched artillery attacks on the Burmese soldiers of the 44th Infantry
Division and the DKBA troops since Thursday but the Burmese troops armed
with 105mm artillery guns and 120mm mortars have not fought back yet.

The source also quoted Lt-Gen Htay Maung as saying that he believed the
Burmese soldiers would launch an attack on the KNU stronghold in a few days.

Some 6,000 Burmese troops from more than 20 battalions under the
Southeastern Force, 22nd and 44th Infantry divisions have been posted along
the border opposite Tak since late last year for a operation to suppress
the KNU.
   
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