Wa convoy intercepted

A Wa convoy coming from Panghsang, the Wa capital on the Chinese border, last week was neatly entrapped and all of its occupants and consignment seized by a Burmese force lying in wait, according to both local and ceasefire sources:

The 7-truck convoy carrying 64 troops from the United Wa State Army's 171st Military Region (areas opposite northern Thailand) and 30 prisoners, together with 28 assorted weapons, surrendered themselves without resistance, according to a local source. Among the loot was an unspecified amount of methamphetamine and heroin. "It took them one and a half truckloads to haul the spoils from the scene," said a Tachilek-based businessman.

The incident took place at a point 8-miles east of Mongpiang, the town between the Salween in the west and Kengtung in the east.

So far neither the Wa nor the Burmese authorities have yet to disclose anything about the incident.

The Wa, together with other ceasefire groups, have been increasingly under military and economic pressures from Rangoon. Three of the private banks reputed to be connected to the Wa have already been ordered closed during the year.