20 students injured as mortar hits primary school in Myanmar's Rakhine state

A total of 20 students were injured as a mortar fire launched by members of the Arakan Army, a local insurgent group, hit a primary school in Myanmar's Rakhine state, said a release from the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services late Thursday.

Arakan Army members attacked a group of Myanmar military personnel during their security operation in Buthidaung township on Thursday morning.

The security forces returned fire, forcing Arakan Army members to retreat. During their retreat, they launched mortar fires at 1.2 km from Khami Chaung village.

One mortar hit the school in the village, injuring students who were playing in front of the school, the release said.

Five of the injured were sent to Buthidaung township hospital while the rest were treated at a clinic of a military base camp.

The Arakan Army, a Rakhine rebel group fighting for the rights of ethnic Rakhine people in Myanmar, clashes with the Myanmar military regularly and has been designated as a terrorist group by the government.