Fighting between junta forces and local People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) erupted on Wednesday on Sagaing bridge which links the region with Mandalay.
At least four people died and eight were injured, according to the Military Council Spokesman who held a news conference in Naypyidaw.
PDF troops on the bus opened fire after it was stopped and inspected on the bridge, on its way to Sagaing.
Two civilian passengers were killed along with two PDF members, the spokesman said.
Eyewitnesses said two junta soldiers and six passengers were injured.
One witness, who did not want to be named for security reasons, told RFA the fight lasted 30 minutes on the bridge, crowded with cars and motorcycles.
“The bus coming from Mandalay was being checked but soldiers could not find [any PDF members] at the checkpoint,” the witness said. “The troops were fired on when they were getting off the bus, then the fighting broke out. Among the two dead men, one was in Puso [a traditional male garment] and the other was in long pants. The bus was riddled with bullets when the two sides started shooting at each other.”
The bodies were taken to the army base in Mandalay Palace, he added.
Eyewitnesses said one of the six injured civilians was sent to Pyin oo Lwin’s Military Hospital, while the other five were taken to the hospital at Mandalay Palace.
The Sagaing Bridge was blocked for a few hours by junta troops after the shooting and was reopened in the afternoon, but everyone passing through was strictly checked, according to nearby residents.
The checkpoint on the bridge was set up after the Feb. 2021 coup. This was the first time it had been attacked.
It is not known yet which PDFs were killed.
Three PDFs based in the area, the Freeland Attack Force, the Anonymous Force Mandalay and the Emerald Girls Army said four of their members had been out of contact since Tuesday, while on the way to buy weapons.