According to a bulletin released by Freedom News, the official news agency for the Shan State Army (SSA) South yesterday, one of its units had captured 4, 3 dead and 1 alive, following a 2-hour clash in southern Shan State against a combined militia-Burma Army Force.

The SSA also seized 1 M79 grenade launcher, 2 automatic rifles, 1 M1 carbine and 1 pistol. Sai Pan, a lieutenant to Sai Kyaw, leader of the Mongyawn militia force, it reported. There was no casualties on the SSA side.

 The clash took place yesterday at Mongyawn, Mongkeung township, 108 miles northeast of Taunggyi, the Shan State capital, between 0600-0800. No casualties on the Burma Army (unit also unidentified) side was reported.

The Mongyawn militia force, formerly known as the 275^thBrigade, broke away from the then  ceasefire group Shan State National Army (SSNA). It further split into two factions: Mongyawn and Wanyerng. The latter disintegrated after a surprise attack by the Burma Army on 2 May, when 380 kg morphine and 3 bags of Burmese currency worth $300,000 were seized, according to Lt-Col Sai Ya, who escaped the onslaught. He had accused Col Win Myint, Deputy Commander of the Taunggyi-based Eastern Region Command, as an accomplice in his drug activities.