Tatmadaw arrested members of Arakan Army (AA) and those related to AA terrorists in Ann and Toungup townships in Rakhine State after a tip-off from locals, announced Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services on April 5.

According to the information given by local people who wish to ensure peace and stability of the region and do not wish entries of AA terrorists to the southern Rakhine State, security forces took security measures and control of the region between Kandeik Village and Ann Town in North Ann village tract in Ann Township on April 5 and arrested Private Lin Naing, aged 22, Private Hla Kyaw Win, aged 27, Private Khaing Lin Naing, aged 22, Private Kyaw Win Than, aged 24, from AA terrorists, totaling four without firearms, it said.

After interrogation, they confessed they joined the AA terrorist group in 2019. Private Lin Naing attended the basic new trainee course at Udah camp in KNU 909 military area of Kayin State from February to March in 2019 and the remaining three members from April to June 2019.

On completion of the training courses, they stayed at Ohhtain Hill, southwest to Darlet Alekyun Village in Arn Township. During their stay there, they could not stand the hardship as they were forced to dig trenches, carry rations, build bunkers and guard the outpost every day and they lost trust in AA terrorists and they fled the outpost on the night of April 3, 2020 before they were detained, it said.

Similarly, based on tips from responsible local Rakhine nationals who are worried about the spread of conflicts and instability caused by the violent act of AA terrorists in northern Rakhine State to the southern part of the state and cherish tranquility and stability of their region, members of security forces launched investigations in Toungup and Maei townships.

The security forces detained five supporters of AA terrorists including Than Naing, aged 46, Hla Phyu, aged 43, Aung Htoo, aged 35, Myint Aung, aged 43, and Pyone Cho, aged 53, from Hsarpyin Village in Toungup Township and they were transferred to relevant local police station where further investigations into detailed information are being carried out, it said.

The AA terrorists in the disguise of civilians residing in villages are committing unlawful terror acts to blow up mines to management convoys of the Tatmadaw, ration transport vehicles and vessels of carrying project materials, interrupt links of road transportation and forcibly recruit new members in villages, it said.

Local Rakhine ethnics, who wish to restore peace and tranquility of the region and do not prefer acts of AA terrorists, informed the officials concerned about the moves of AA terrorists. Security forces searched and arrested AA terrorists and those related to AA terrorists and take action against them in accordance with the law, it said.

The Tatmadaw has continued to take regional security measures in cooperation with local people for stability, the rule of law and prevention of lawless terrorist acts of AA terrorists in Rakhine State, it said.