Friday, 3 April 2009

Thai, Cambodian troops exchange gunfire at border area

Thai and Cambodian troops exchange a brief gunfire Friday morning near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple at the border area. (Xinhua Photo)

www.chinaview.cn
2009-04-03

PHNOM PENH, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Thai and Cambodian troops had a brief exchange of gunfire Friday morning near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple at the border area, said a government spokesman.

The crossfire occurred around 07:15 local time (0015GMT), after a number of Thai soldiers trespassed on the Eagle Field, a piece of Cambodian soil, said Phay Siphan, spokesman of the Council of Ministers.

So far, there has been no reports of casualties, he added.

On Thursday, one Thai soldier lost his leg over a mine explosion in the same area.

Some 40 Thai soldiers intruded into the Cambodian territory at 08:20 local time (0120 GMT) and one of them, who was identified as Chalong Mody, stepped on a previously-planted mine, said a press release from the Council of Ministers.

There were "a few rounds of Thai firing (into the air) to cover their troops" and rescue the injured soldier, but the Cambodian soldiers just "firmly" held themselves up, without "striking back at this moment," it added.

Since July 2008, troops from both sides have stationed near the Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and two armed clashes last year sparked brief concerns of war.

Editor: An

No comments: