A military truck was struck by an explosive in Sagaing Region’s Kani Township on Thursday, according to locals.
The vehicle caught fire near Mahn Taung, between Chaungma and Aung Mingalar villages, on Thursday morning, a Kani local told Myanmar Now on the condition of anonymity.
“The truck was hit by a mine this morning and we saw a billow of smoke,” the local said.
It was not known at the time of reporting who set the explosive device or if the truck was the intended target.
Following the incident, junta troops who have been occupying Kapaing and Thee Kone villages in Sagaing’s Yinmarbin Township since late April arrived in the area as reinforcements.
Clashes then broke out between the soldiers and residents of the area, with fighting continuing until evening on Thursday, the local source said.
“We heard the sound of loud explosions this afternoon. The military shot with heavy artillery; there were about 50 rounds,” he added.
During the clash, at least two locals and seven regime troops were reportedly injured.
Myanmar Now was unable to independently verify whether there were casualties on either side.
Locals in Yinmarbin and Kani townships have been fiercely resisting military rule, blocking roads and fighting back against junta crackdowns using homemade hunting rifles known as Tumi guns.
In an attempt to crush the opposition, the regime stationed soldiers in villages throughout those townships since April.
Locals say that the troops have been terrorising these communities by destroying their homes and property and stealing their chickens and pigs.
“They come into the villages and always give us trouble. They came into the villages next to the [Chindwin] river yesterday. They even beat the elders,” another Kani local told Myanmar Now, adding, “People in these areas can no longer tolerate how the soldiers have been looting the villages.”
There have been at least four battles between the regime’s armed forces and locals since the February 1 coup. Around 20 civilians have been killed in these clashes, with junta troops often firing on the villagers with heavy weaponry including machine guns.
