Oct 20, 2008 (DVB), Pa-O National Liberation Organisation fighters mounted an attack last week on the former headquarters of the Shan State Nationalities Liberation Organisation, which was occupied by Burmese regime troops.

PNLO spokesperson Khun Zwe Hto said the attack on the former headquarters at Naung Htaung in southeastern Shan State was in retaliation for government pressure on SSNLO leaders.

"On the night of 16 October, at 11.50pm, a PNLO group led by colonel Khun Kyaw, colonel Ohn Maung and colonel Aung Naing attacked LIB-421, based in Naung Htaung and the police station," Khun Zwe Hto said.

"One private named Thin Tun was wounded and one soldier from LIB 421 died; we don’t know the name of the dead soldier yet," he went on.

"The police chief was wounded and police private Chit Ko Ko died. We torched and destroyed the army base."

Khun Zwe Hto said the attack was prompted by pressure from the State Peace and Development Council on SSNLO leaders to force them to lay down their weapons.

"In August, they used every means of pressuring SSNLO leaders U Soe Aung and U Sein Shwe," Khun Zwe Hto said.

"After the two laid down their weapons, the SPDC army used all kinds of pressure and bullied and tortured the local people," he said.

"The people reported this to us and we carried out the attack at their request."

SPDC troops are currently carrying out offensives in Karen, Karenni and Shan states, and local people have reported human rights abuses in connection with the incursions.

Reporting by Maung Too