NAY PYI TAW, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Three ethnic armed groups jointly launched simultaneous and surprise attacks early Sunday morning on some military and police outposts stationed in Muse and Kutkai, border towns in Myanmar's Shan state-north, causing casualties in the military and civilians.
A press release from the State Counselor's Office said Sunday afternoon that the armed groups involved the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Ta-ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA).
The over 600-strong joint groups began the assault at 2:00 a.m. local time with heavy weapons on the security posts of Muse, Monekoe, Phangsai and Manken separately. Some security camps near the Nampaw bridge and that near the 105th Mile Muse border trade zone were also attacked, killing one civilian and injuring six others.
Explosion occurred on Sunlong and Nampaw bridges on Mandalay-Muse highway, destroying the bridges and three shops near the bridges also burned.
A Pajaro car parking near Theinggyi-Namathu bridge also exploded.
The joint armed groups retreated after the security force launched counter-attacks, the statement added.
