SHAN STATE, Myanmar - According to local sources, the vice-chair of a local branch of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) was shot dead on Saturday in southern Shan State's Pindaya Township.

Kyaw Nyein, 50, was shot by a member of an armed resistance group active in the area while he was at his private school in Pindaya.

"He dodged the first bullet and was about to shoot back at me with his gun, but I was able to get another shot off that hit him in the head." "He died on the spot," said the person claiming responsibility for the murder.

It was unclear whether any students were present at the time of the incident.

Kyaw Nyein was a well-known political figure in Pindaya. He ran as a USDP candidate in the 2020 election but was soundly defeated by his National League for Democracy opponent.

Kyaw Nyein joined the newly installed junta's regional administration team after the military staged a coup to overturn the election results in February 2021.

According to Pindaya residents, he frequently served as a regime informant and recruiter for the military-backed Pyu Saw Htee militia.

"Many people were arrested because of him." "Some are still in prison," a local man who did not want to be identified said.