The junta army has threatened to destroy two Mon State villages if the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) does not release an army company commander and sergeant that it is holding.

The two men were arrested by the Thaton People's Guerrilla People’s Defence Force (PDF) on 1 June after they were caught making enquiries in the KNU Brigade (1) area of Mon State’s Thaton Township whilst dressed in civilian clothes.

After their arrest the men, Captain Kyaw Zin Htet and Sergeant Naing Oo from Battalion (9), based at Wiyaw Camp in Thaton Township’s Wiyaw Village, were handed over to the battalion commander of KNU Battalion (2) in the KNU Brigade (1) area.

On 2 June the junta army fired heavy artillery into two villages in retaliation and threatened to continue until the villages are razed to the ground unless the men are released.

A member of the Thaton People's Guerrilla PDF said: “Since 2 June, the Military Council has been firing heavy artillery into Htone Bo Lay and Htone Bo Gyi villages. They told the two village chiefs that they would destroy the villages if their soldiers were not released.”

A 70-year-old man was injured and two houses were destroyed in the attack on Htone Bo Lay Village, according to reports.

The artillery fire has displaced villagers from both Htone Bo Lay and Htone Bo Gyi villages.

The KNLA has not said whether it will release the two soldiers.