Four members of the Myanmar security services including a brigadier-general were gunned down by sniper fire on Monday, January 29, as their helicopter made preparations to land, according to reports by a military source.
Brigadier General Aye Min Naung, his personal security officer and two pilots were gunned down by a “sniper” as their helicopter was preparing to land at eastern Thingannyinaung town near Myawaddy on the Thai border, the security source added.
The brigadier general eventually succumbed to his wounds, the source stated, pleading anonymity as they were not sanctioned to talk to the media.
The anonymous source also revealed that the two other servicemen on the helicopter had “survived” but no additional details were given.
At the time of writing this report, it is not known how many snipers had been shot at the helicopter nor who was responsible for the Sniper shooting.
Local media have published images alleging to show the aftermath of the incident that reveal a small helicopter lying on its side in a field.
A local news outlet had said that the helicopter was a twin-engined Eurocopter 365.
The brigadier general is the newest high-ranking officer to be slain on the frontlines as the junta fights opponents of its coup across swathes of the country.
Six brigadier generals are presently in custody for succumbing with over 2,000 troops to a treaty of ethnic minority fighters in neighbouring Kokang region.
Myanmar has been fraught with conflict since the 2021 military coup, with multiple armed ethnic groups fighting the junta on different fronts.
