Three junta soldiers killed while accompanying census takers in eastern Myanmar

Three regime soldiers were killed in Karen State’s Hpa-an Township last Thursday as they were providing security for a group of census takers, according to local sources. The incident occurred near a monastery in the village of Win Sein, where the vehicle carrying the soldiers was hit at close range by a shoulder-fired rocket launcher, the sources said. “Our group just went in and fired. Nothing happened on our side, but three of their soldiers died,” said a source close to Brigade 1 of the Karen National Union (KNU), which operates in the area. A local resident told Myanmar Now that at least two others were injured in the attack, but it was not known if civilian census takers were among the casualties. Padoh Saw Aung Maw Aye, the KNU chair for Hpa-an District, confirmed that the shooting took place, but said he could not provide any further details. According to locals, the regime has been conducting its census in the area with the support of the Karen Border Guard Force, which continues to cooperate with the junta despite distancing itself from it earlier this year. Around 200 troops stationed in Hpa-an, the state capital, arrived at the scene of the incident after the shooting, but no further clashes were reported, residents said. “There were some interrogations, but it ended smoothly. Then they took away the bodies and cars. For now, they’re not continuing the census,” said a local man who spoke on condition of anonymity. The junta launched its census earlier this month as part of its preparations for elections next year. The census was originally set to take place from October 1 to 15, but may be extended, according to junta-controlled state media. Resistance forces have vowed to disrupt the exercise, which they say will be used by the regime to gather information about its opponents and legitimise its rule. Last week, anti-regime groups in Tanintharyi Regions detained 18 census takers—nine in Launglon Township and nine in Thayetchaung Township—according to local media sources. State media has also reported the detention of census takers in Chin State’s Tedim Township.

Three junta soldiers killed while accompanying census takers in eastern Myanmar

The incident in Karen State’s Hpa-an Township was the deadliest so far targeting the regime’s efforts to conduct a census ahead of elections slated for next year

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