Myanmar's military junta said security forces were bombed by dissident groups. Several people died in the crossfire.
The Southeast Asian nation has been in turmoil since the military toppled the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February. The move sparked mass pro-democracy protests and was met with a bloody crackdown by the military.
"The two groups shot each other, a member of the security forces was injured," the statement said, adding that firearms and ammunition were seized after the clashes.
"Several terrorists... (killed), one of them was injured".
Local media reported at least two dissidents killed and one arrested
Earlier this month a "National Unity Government" composed mostly of lawmakers affiliated with ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's party called for a "people's defensive war" and urged civilians to target junta assets.
The communications towers of the military-owned company Mytel have been targeted across Myanmar.
Conflict is also escalating in the Sagaing and Magway regions, where locals this week accused the military of burning homes and displacing thousands.
"The military has destroyed our territory because of local resistance forces," a 25-year-old woman from Gangaw Magway township told AFP.
"I lost some of my friends... my heart is broken because I have witnessed all their (military) atrocities with my own eyes".
In Namg Kar village, a number of houses have been destroyed by the military, locals say
Residents of Gangaw township said that in one of the worst-affected villages, Namg Kar, houses had been razed since September 10, a stop-start process over the past week as monsoon rains continued to extinguish fires.
"They (the military) tried to burn down the whole village. But it was the rainy season," said the resident, adding that 4,000 Namg Kar residents had fled to a nearby forest.
"Residents are afraid of the army because they can return to the village at any time," he said.
The junta did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
