RANGOON — Two government security force members were wounded in an ambush by unidentified gunmen near the border with Bangladesh in northern Arakan State last Thursday afternoon, according to Burma’s State Counselor Office Information Committee.
Nearly 30 men clad in black attacked troops providing security to workers preparing border fences between Mile Post 56 and 57 in Buthidaung Township with small arms. After a five-minute exchange of gunfire, the attackers retreated to the east, the Saturday statement said.
A lance corporal and a private from government security forces sustained minor injuries.
Since Oct. 9 last year, northern Arakan State saw 20 clashes between government security forces and suspected Rohingya Muslim attackers who the government says are affiliated with terrorist organizations outside the country.
As of Feb. 9, 17 members of security forces and 69 attackers had been killed during clashes and subsequent security forces clearance operations.
On Friday, Burma’s State Counselor’s Office announced that the Burma Army was no longer involved in the man hunt operation in northern Arakan State and that police were maintaining stability and rule of law in the area.
