The armed insurgents blasted the 31st mile bridge near Narte village on Lashio-Theinni-Kunlon-Chinshwehaw-Laukkai road between Theinni and Kunlon Townships on August 27 night.

"The 31st mile bridge was blasted. It happened at about 11 pm yesterday night. Tatmadaw is planning to substitute with bailey reinforced concrete bridge. The reconstruction of the 41st mile bridge took three days. Therefore, the construction of the 31st mile bridge will take two or three days. Before completion, the detour will be built. Now the construction has begun," said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun.

"The insurgents fired heavy weapons in Nanpaung. At about 6:30 am, the insurgents came to attack on the battalion. No causalities occurred. The insurgents had already retreated. The insurgents fired heavy weapons from the distance. Our military columns are going on taking security measures," said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun.

The bridge destroyed by mines is 40 miles and 5 furlongs long and 80 feet wide bridge between Narte village and Kangmain village tract on Theinni-Kunlon Union Highway blasted on August 17. The 50 feet long, 28 feet wide and 25 feet high bridge is situated near Kaungkaw village between Theinni Township and Nantsalat village.

"It is locally known as the 31st mile bridge. It was blasted on August 17 night. Since then holes appeared on the bridge and now it was blasted again and totally collapsed. It happened about at 11:30 pm," said an official of Theinni Township General Administration Department.

It is located on Lashio-Theinni-Kunlon-Chinshwehaw-Laukkai road and it is a major bridge in transport.

"The passengers to Lashion have stranded in the bus terminal in Chinshwehaw. It has not been known that the 31st mile bridge was broken. At about 7 am, highway bus tickets to Lashio were cancelled and the passengers had to get off unexpectedly after being seated aboard the vehicle," said Ko Lat who is the driver from Chinshwehaw-Lashio.

The bridges on Lashio-Theinni-Kunlon-Chinshwehaw-Laukkai road were blasted on August 17 night, resulting in the disruption of the transport links. The already-repaired bridges were reopened on August 25 evening.

Now the 31st mile was blasted again on August 27 evening and  Lashio-Theinni-Kunlon-Chinshwehaw-Laukkai road sections were reopened. The transport was disrupted again within two days after reopening the road.   

Translated and Edited by Win Htut