Two bombs exploded in northern Shan State’s Hsenwi township yesterday morning.
Sai Win Khine, Shan Nationalities Democratic Party’s secretary and parliamentary representative, said the bombs exploded within five minutes of each other on a bridge at the town’s entrance. Two more unexploded devices were later discovered.
“The first one went off at five past four in the morning and the second one [exploded] five minutes later. There were four in total – two [didn’t explode]. There was no damage to the bridge and no one was injured because it happened early in the morning,” said Sai Win Khine.
The bridge, located on the Mandalay-Muse highway, is made of concrete. The explosions caused no significant damage to the structure and the day’s traffic was not affected.
The bombings come on the eve of national by-elections and in the wake of a similar incident at a golf tournament in southern Shan State. According to the Shan Herald, four bombs exploded in Tachilek at the Armed Forces Day golf tournament that was being held in the municipality.
While rebel organisations in the area have signed ceasefire deals with the central government, violent skirmishes continue to erupt in the restive state.
No official connection between the Hsenwi and Tachilek bombings has been made. Hsenwi is still planning on holding by-elections on 1 April.
