The military warned the Arakan Army (AA) not to take civilians as hostages and add innocents into the war, said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun, Secretary of Tatmadaw True News Information Team.

His remark came out after the AA plotted an attack in Kyauktaw which injured people and damaged religious buildings on December 28.

“The AA attacked the army, which was providing security in Kyauktaw, two times by taking cover from residential places and a child was injured during the first attack. The AA’s attacks have occurred nearby towns and villages lately. That’s why civilians are wounded. They need to refrain to take people as hostages and add people into the war,” he said.

The AA attacked the army from the nearby of Kyauktaw bus station and sub-power station on December 28, according to an announcement from Tatmadaw True News Information Team.

The attack injured three men and women and damaged religious buildings including Maha Kangyi Shin Pagoda in Kyauktaw.

The AA is operating in the towns and villages and plotted attacks on army columns by taking cover from residential areas and the army is continuously providing security for town and villages, he said.

Heavy shelling by the AA occurred in Kyaekusate Village, Myebon Township on December 27 which injured six civilians, sources said.