Feb 20, 2008 (DVB), The PaO National Liberation Organisation launched strikes on two locations in southern Shan State on Sunday, and claimed more attacks would follow if the government fails to meet their demands.

The PNLO broke away from the cease-fire group Shan State Nationalities People’s Liberation Organization in 2007 due to a disagreement over the government’s decision to disarm cease-fire groups after finishing the national convention.

The group recently made six demands on the military junta, including to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners, to form a interim government representing ethnic groups, and to cancel the planned constitutional referendum and general election.

Colonel Khun Thurein, the general secretary of the PNLO, said the group launched attacks on the government’s Military Security Affairs office and a military outpost in See Sai township on 17 February due to the government's failure to respond to their demands.

"We launched attacks on the MSA office and the battalion 423 outpost on Sunday, which lasted about 30 minutes each," said Khun Thurein.

"Two were killed from the government forces while there were no casualties reported on our side."

Following the attack, Khun Thurein said three SSNPLO officials in See Sai were taken by the authorities to the SPDC’s Eastern Division Military Command in the Shan state capital Taung Gyi yesterday for questioning.

Khun Thurein said the PNLO is determined to carry on with further attacks until their demands are met.

"If the government continues to ignore our demands, we will increase our offensives," he said.

Reporting by Nan Kham Kaew