Military and police exchange fire in Hakha city, one civilian and one police officer killed

HAKHA – A shootout between members of the military and police forces in Hakha city, Chin State, has resulted in the deaths of one soldier and one civilian, according to local residents. The exchange of fire occurred at a small military outpost near the Hakha viewpoint around 7 p.m. on August 1. "We heard that the soldiers insulted the police and spoke to them in a demeaning manner. Gradually, the words escalated, and people in the vicinity could hear them. Eventually, it led to a shooting," a Hakha resident told the Ayeyarwaddy Times. Due to the intense gunfire, bullets landed in the homes of residents, and Daw Christina Thala Maein, a 51-year-old local woman residing in Hakha city, was shot in both legs. As the shooting was intense, she could not reach the hospital in time and passed away from her injuries at home around 12 a.m. on August 2, it was learned. "We couldn't go to the hospital immediately because the shooting didn't stop. She died from excessive bleeding while being treated at home," a Hakha resident told the Ayeyarwaddy Times. It is reported that one police officer fled and escaped during the shootout. In the morning of August 2, a police officer from the said outpost was quickly buried after it was claimed he died of fever, with his body being hastily concealed. Furthermore, fearing repercussions from their superiors if they knew about the internal shootout, the military fabricated a story that the CDF-Hakha forces had attacked them. After fabricating this story, they reportedly entered two nearby churches on Sunday and arrested and interrogated worshippers.