Recent clashes between the Shan State Army-South (SSA-S) and the Burmese Army in Kengtung township, eastern Shan State have killed at least three Burmese soldiers and injured six, according to sources close to the SSA-S.

On December 9 evening, when SSA-S troops were on their way back from patrol duty to its Loi Kaw Wan stronghold, fighting broke out with the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 571 of the Burmese Army in the north of Tachilek, eastern side of Kengtung-Tachilek highway.

The skirmish continued for about an hour and at least three soldiers of the Burmese Army were killed and six were injured, according to SSA-S sources.

However, a report published by the Bangkok Post on Tuesday said that 12 Burmese soldiers were killed and dozens injured.

According to a source in Tachilek, a captain called Tin Maung Hlin (29) of LIB 571 was killed in the encounter.

Another clash broke out on Sunday evening when the LIB 573 of the Burmese Army ambushed SSA-S troops in Wan Dup village tract in Kengtung Township. One SSA-S soldier was killed. The casualty on the Burmese Army is not known, the sources said.

Again last Monday, there was another clash between the two sides on the Kengtung-Tachilek highway, in the village of Loi Noung Kan. No casualty has been reported.

Sporadic fighting between the SSA-S and Burmese Army is going on almost daily in the areas of Laikha-Mongkerng, central Shan State, sources added.

Clashes often break out because four more battalions of the Burma Army, IB 221, LIB 570, 571 and 316 have been deployed since November 27 along the border areas, according to analysts.

The SSA-S claims that it is prepared to fight back if the Burmese Army attacks its Loi Kaw Wan stronghold.

Thai forces on the border are ready to prevent the fighting from spilling over into Thai territory, according to the Thai police on the border.