YANGON, May 12 (Xinhua) -- At least 19 people, including a police, four militias and 14 civilians, were killed and 27 others injured in attacks by armed groups in Muse township, Myanmar's Shan state Saturday morning, said a release from the office of the Commandar-in-Chief of Defense Service.

The attacks were launched by a 50-strong combined force of Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) at 05:00 a.m. local time. A police outpost at the Pan Kham bridge was targeted.

Meanwhile, some 30 members of the combined force also launched attacks near the residence of a militia leader while 10 other members assaulted the Manweik gate at the same time.

The military returned fire, forcing the armed groups to retreat at 08:00 a.m. local time.