Explosion within a guarded police compound causes no deaths or reported injuries but raises questions among local residents

A bomb exploded in Lang Khur Township in southern Shan State yesterday, but caused no casualties, according to local Shan Herald Agency for News reporter.

The explosion took place in the police station compound located on the main road between Bok Dai and Poong Toon village.

Residents were reportedly informed by Lang Khur police officers that an explosive device was thrown by a person on a motorbike at about 1:30 a.m. on September 1.

There has been no further information provided by the local authorities about the blast.

Residents remain skeptical of the cause of the explosion.

“It’s not possible that someone threw the bomb into the police station compound,” said one local man who wished to remain anonymous. “The police station is guarded with tight security.”

“It could have been planted a long time ago,” he said. “It could explode any time…when the temperature is too high.”

Last month, The Myanmar Times reported that northern Shan State experienced an unexplained explosion on August 24 in Muse Township, the main border gateway between China and Shan State, where witnesses claimed a person on a motorbike threw a bomb at a local bank. Local ethnic armed groups were accused of involvement, an allegation which they denied.

Despite a 2012 ceasefire, the Myanmar Peace Monitor reports that Lang Khur Township has since been the site of clashes between the Burma Army and the Shan State Army (SSA/SSPP). In 2012, it was also identified by the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor as a “suspected hazardous area” for unexploded landmines.

By SAI AW / Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N.)