Fallout in ex-Khun Sa army

No.02 - 12/2006

7 December 2006             

Drugs 

Fallout in ex-Khun Sa army

A heated dispute between officers of the former Mong Tai Army (MTA) of Khun Sa last night had led to a shootout which resulted in 3 deaths, according to sources from Maehongson.

Among the dead was Captain Yi, deputy to Khun Toe Aung aka Sai Nu, commander of the Homong militia group, formed following surrender by Khun Sa in 1996. He was said to have been shot by his own aide (unidentified), who took suicide afterwards.

One woman, Nang Hsawn, was caught in the crossfire and was sent across the border to the hospital in Maehongson, some 40 km south of Namonlong, where the shooting took place around 7:00 in the evening. "But her condition was already beyond remedy," said a source. "She died soon after."

All border sources are keen to know what had led to the unexpected killings.

However, so far S.H.A.N. has been unable to make contact with any concerned official from the militia group.

Homong, some 20 km north of the border, was from 1985-1996 the headquarters of Mong Tai Army. Since then, the area has come under Burma Army control. The militia's actual leader Mahaja is a delegate to the National Convention. He is wanted in Thailand on drug charges.