Three journalists arrested in Shan State are likely to be handed over to police “soon,” a senior government official says, as questions mount as to why the men were detained and pressure grows on the military to reveal their whereabouts nearly 48 hours after they were taken into custody.

Ethnic media groups say they will petition for the reporters’ release with letters to the Burmese president, state counsellor and commander-in-chief.

The military detains seven men, including two journalists from DVB and a third from another former exile media outlet, for alleged ties to the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, which held a drug-burning ceremony on Monday to commemorate International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The Burmese army is continuing its intervention into an ongoing conflict between two ethnic rebel groups in Shan State, according to government media.

Armed group claim mass haul during routine vehicle checks.

Small-arms and artillery fire exchange reported between rebel and government forces in Shan State.