Jan 25, 2008 (DVB), Three Democratic Karen Buddhist Army personnel were killed and eight others injured in a mine explosion near the border town of Myawaddy in Karen state, according to the Karen National Union.

Major Saw Hla Ngwe, secretary of the KNU information committee, said the explosion took place near Balehdo village, south of Myawaddy, at around 12.20pm when a vehicle from DKBA battalion 333 drove over a mine laid by KNU troops while it was mobilising troops with another DKBA vehicle and a government military truck.

"Two died on the spot and nine others, including a platoon leader, were injured and sent to Myawaddy hospital where one died from his wounds," said Saw Hla Ngwe.

"They are from the DKBA triple 3 battalion led by battalion commander Pha-be."

Saw Hla Ngwe added that the attack, carried out by the KNU brigade 6 special regiment, was the first attack launched by the group in 2008.

"This attack is to prevent [SPDC and DKBA troops] from mounting offensives and taking control of our territories. This is a defensive measure we take to keep our enemy from dominating our area," he said.

An officer from the DKBA battalion 907’s central war office said only two died while nine others were injured by the KNU mine.

Reporting by Saw Kanyaw