Sun Aug 24 15:52:59 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text, incorporating the Indian perspective consideration:

**Summary:**

The Hindu, an Indian newspaper, reports that Myanmar’s military junta accuses anti-coup armed groups, specifically the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and People’s Defence Forces, of bombing and destroying the Gokteik Viaduct, a historic colonial-era bridge. The TNLA denies responsibility, claiming the junta’s own drone strikes targeting TNLA bases accidentally hit the bridge. The incident occurs amidst ongoing civil war in Myanmar following the 2021 coup and recent heavy fighting in the region.
**News Article:**

**Historic Bridge Destroyed in Myanmar Amidst Ongoing Conflict; Junta and Rebel Groups Trade Blame**

**Yangon, Myanmar – August 24, 2025** – Myanmar’s already fraught political situation took a turn for the worse as the military junta announced the destruction of the Gokteik Viaduct, a landmark bridge dating back to the British colonial era. The junta has squarely blamed anti-coup armed groups, specifically naming the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and People’s Defence Forces as the perpetrators of the bombing.

According to junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun, the bridge was deliberately targeted with mines. The Gokteik Viaduct, standing 102 meters above a gorge and once the world’s highest railway trestle, connected Mandalay to northern Shan State and held significant historical and tourist value. Images circulating on social media show extensive damage to the bridge, including a partial collapse.

However, the TNLA vehemently denies these accusations. A spokesperson for the group stated that the damage was caused by the junta’s own actions, claiming that drone strikes targeting TNLA bases in the area inadvertently struck the bridge. “The Myanmar army tried to bomb our bases… this morning by using drones. They bombed our troops, but their bomb also hit Gokteik bridge,” said a TNLA representative, Lway Yay Oo.

The destruction of the bridge occurs against the backdrop of a brutal civil war that has gripped Myanmar since the military coup in 2021. The conflict pits the junta against a diverse array of pro-democracy guerrillas and ethnic armed organizations. Recent weeks have seen intensified fighting between the TNLA and junta forces in the nearby towns of Nawnghkio and Kyaukme.

**Indian Perspective:**

* **Concerns for Regional Stability:** As a neighboring country, India is deeply invested in the stability of Myanmar. The ongoing conflict and destruction of infrastructure raise concerns about cross-border migration, security threats, and the overall economic impact on the region.
* **Humanitarian Crisis:** The escalating violence is likely to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, potentially leading to increased displacement and suffering. India may face pressure to provide humanitarian assistance.
* **Strategic Implications:** The instability in Myanmar impacts India’s strategic interests in the region, particularly concerning connectivity projects and efforts to counter insurgent groups operating along the border.
* **Diplomatic Balancing Act:** India faces a complex diplomatic challenge, balancing its relations with the junta while also supporting the restoration of democracy and stability in Myanmar.

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