In Hopong township, an area controlled by the Pa-O National Organization/ Pa-O National Army (PNO/PNA) in southern Shan state, the Military Council seized scores of weapons and ammunition, reports said.

The Military Council announced on December 18th that 499 Type 81 assault rifles and 498 cartridges were seized near Mine Pyin village tract in Hopong township, on the previous day.

Major Than Kywe of the PNO/PNA commented, “We have heard that a lot of weapons have been seized in our controlled area. There are many routes in PNO/PNA territory. We cannot close every path. I can’t say how these weapons passed through because we can only close the main important routes”, he said.

The Military Council also claimed that the seized weapons were intended for delivery to the People’s Defense Forces (PDF). Major Than Kywe also predicts ‘ Security will be tightened after such a large number of weapons are seized” he told the Shan Herald.

At the Min Gyi Thone Par checkpoint in Lawksawk (Yatsauk) township of Shan state in May, 50 Type 81 rifles and related items were seized from a car, and 2 young men transporting these weapons were arrested.