24 : Junta shelling catches Shans unawares

Surprise shelling intermingled with machine gun spraying yesterday had caught the Shan State Army (SSA) South unit and the Thai security force stationed on the Chiangmai border offguard, according to sources.
 
"It wasn't the attack itself, but rather the absence of any indicators either before or since the shootings that has kept us wondering," said an SSA senior officer. "No unusual troop movements have been reported".
 
The Shan troops, he added, have nevertheless been put on high alert.
 
According to him and Thai security sources, the SSA base at Loi Maiyommen, opposite Chiangmai's Wiang Haeng district, was pounded with 3  81-mm mortar shells at 15:45 yesterday, by the Tachilek-based Light Infantry Battalions 331 currently on tour in the area. They were followed by 4 more shells at 20:15 interspersed with machine gun fire.
 
One shell reportedly landed inside Thai territory but no damage or casualty was reported. The SSA troops from Surkhanfah Column, commanded by Maj Kawsanla, did not retaliate but were merely ordered to take up positions against any eventuality that might follow. "Which has so far not materialized", said the source.
 
Yesterday's shootings came more than a month after the Burma Army launched a 15-day search-and-destroy operation in eastern Shan State, opposite Chiangmai and Chiangrai provinces from 16-30 September.