At least three people were killed and two others injured in a shooting incident that took place near SittweUniversity, said a source close toRakhine State military council.

“The incident took place this afternoon.  The identities of the dead and injured are still beinginvestigated," he added.

It is understood that a group of armed men with civilian clothes arrived at the location drivingmotorcycles and exchanged fire with anothergroup of armed men who came driving a car at around 1 pm on Saturday.

The dead bodies are being kept in Sittwe general hospital. The injured individuals are also treated there. Thesecurity arrangement in the hospitalhas been tightened.

There are speculations that the armed men, who opened fire, may not belong to the police or junta forceswho are on duty for the protectionof Sittwe University. They may be from the Arakan
Liberation Party (ALP) and Arakan Army (AA), but Narinjara News can not confirm it.

Narinjara News is trying to contact AA spokesperson U Khaing Thukha and ALP chairman Saw Mya Razalin fordetails.

Following the incident, security nets have been expanded to the entire area along with the entry-exit checkpoints of Kyauk Tan gate in Sittwetownship.