The police from the South Dagon township No. 5 police outpost fired back after they were attacked by assailants with a bomb, according to local people.

The attackers approached on a motorcycle at 6:30 pm on January 14, throwing a bomb at the police outpost but missing it. The police fired back in response.

"They threw the bomb at the police outpost, but it rolled back and went to the other side. No casualties were reported,” a local witness told Mizzima. “When they ran back with their motorcycles, police chased them and shot at them five times. But they all were able to escape unharmed.”

Many police and soldiers arrived at the scene but no roadblocks were set up.

A growing number of bomb attacks and clashes have been happening in downtown Yangon and in the suburbs over the last few months. The Military Council police and soldiers have set up checkpoints and blockades to attempt to prevent attacks.