In what appears to be a tit-for-tat action, the Myanmar junta military arrested 10 civilians in Ponnagyun Township in Rakhine State on 16 June.

The action happened after the Arakan Army (AA) arrested a Military Council soldier at a construction materials store near Sanpya Ward in Ponnagyun Township at around 3 p.m.

In response, the military’s 550 Battalion raided the homes of local residents and arrested about 10 civilians.

After the soldier was captured by the AA, the soldiers from 550 Battalion arrived and took the owner of the construction shop for questioning, according to a local resident, noting that after this about 10 civilians were reportedly taken from their homes.

Soldiers from 550 Battalion opened fire and searched some of the residents in Ponnagyun at around 3 p.m. on 16 June, according to another local resident.

“There was also shooting in the evening. They also inspected the motorcycles in the town,” the local resident added.

“Currently, no shop is open and the market is closed. People in town are afraid to go outside,” said a local resident who lives in Ponnagyun.

The AA action follows the arrest of two junta soldiers in Kyauktaw Township on 11 June.