One dead, 12 wounded in Myanmar bomb blast

MAWLAMYINE, MYANMAR — A bomb blast in southeastern Myanmar killed one person and wounded 12 others on Monday, an official said.

Violent clashes have ramped up since the military deposed Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government in February 2021, unleashing a bloody crackdown on dissent that has left thousands dead.

The junta has been battling anti-coup “People’s Defence Force” (PDF) militias, as well as long-established ethnic rebel armies that control large areas of territory close to the country’s borders.

The blast from a vehicle detonated near Thanlwin bridge checkpoint at around 6:50 am local time (0020 GMT), a government official from the Karen State administration council told AFP.

“About 13 people including passengers and security members there were injured,” they said, requesting anonymity.

“One died from those injuries when they arrived at the hospital.”

They did not give any further details, but the checkpoint is known for its strict security.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The junta is fighting scores of ethnic rebel outfits.

More than 3,800 people have been killed since the coup, according to a local monitoring group.

— AFP