The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Yangon

Three people, including two soldiers, were shot dead and at least 10 people injured when ethnic Karen rebels ambushed a passenger bus in eastern Myanmar, a witness said Sunday.

The attack occurred on Saturday in Myawaddy, an important trading town on the Thai border about 200 kilometers (124 miles) east of Yangon, said a man who saw the aftermath of the attack.

"Two soldiers and one passenger were killed in the attack," he said, adding that at least 10 people, including women, were wounded, he said. "I saw the ambulances and cars taking away the injured last night," he said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The attack happened in an area that has seen an escalation in fighting between Myanmar's military regime and the Karen National Union (KNU).