Two Shan youth activists who were forced by junta troops to transport them in their truck on the Lashio to Muse highway were killed in a roadside ambush by TNLA troops on 4 May 2022.
That day, at about 5 pm, the two youth, Sai Jarm Hla (aged 32) and Sai Hseng Harn (aged 29), were driving a pick-up truck on their way from Kutkhai to Muse in Shan State, when they were stopped by 15 Burma Army troops from Infantry Division (ID) 99 at Nampaw Bridge, about 16 miles from Muse. The troops forced the youth to transport them in the back of their truck.
At about 5.20 pm, as they were approaching Maw Tawng village, in Mong Yu tract, their truck was suddenly shelled by the TNLA troops positioned on a hill top.
Shrapnel hit Sai Jarm Hla’s chest, leg and hands, while Sai Hseng Harn was hit in his abdomen, head and wrist. Their truck overturned at the side of the road. At least ten Burma Army troops were also killed in the attack.
One of the youth’s friends was driving behind them in another car, and arrived at the scene after the attack. He saw Sai Jarm Hla’s truck overturned by the road, and many junta soldiers around the wreckage. He stopped his car and tried to get out and see what had happened, but some junta troops who had arrived in another truck forced him to drive on.
He then drove to 105 Mile Village, where he called a local welfare group to go and pick up his friends and take them to hospital. When the welfare group arrived by car at the site of the attack, the Burma Army troops refused to let them take the bodies. They then went back to Muse town and called more welfare group vehicles to come to the incident site. The bodies were allowed to be taken away at about 7:30 pm. The bodies were kept at Se Oo, in Muse township, and were cremated on the afternoon of 5 May 2022.
The deceased youth were both from Kyaukme. Sai Jarm Hla was a leading member of the Tai Youth Network (TYN) and belonged to the secretary team of the Committee for Shan State Unity (CSSU). Sai Hseng Harn assisted with many social welfare activities for his community.
