London, Oct 4 : A Burmese army major has revealed that secret codes were issued ordering the military to shoot and kill protesting monks in Rangoon last week.

Major Hla Lin, who disobeyed the order and fled before protests began in the capital, claimed there were divisions within the military, and many officers were horrified at being forced to crush the protesting monks.

"I knew the plan to shoot and kill the monks. There were secret codes to start shooting. If I had stayed on I would have to follow these orders," said Major Hla Lin. "I am a Buddhist and I did not want to carry out these orders."

Speaking from his refuge on the Thai border, he said that there are many other officers like him who are “deeply unhappy.”

“The problem is they are of afraid of (dictator) Than Shwe. He is very cruel," the Telegraph quoted him as saying.

The junta has waged psychological warfare against the people in Rangoon, as thousands of people, especially monks, remained unaccounted for.

Before dawn, trucks with loudspeakers drove through the streets announcing, "We have photographs. We are going to make arrests!" – a threat to anyone who attended last week's marches, the daily reported.

Meanwhile, the acting US Ambassador in Myanmar, Shari Villarosa said that people in Yangon were terrified.

"From what we understand, military police are traveling around the city in the middle of the night, going into homes and picking up people," the Sun quoted her as saying.

Villarosa added that embassy staff had gone to some monasteries in recent days, and found them completely empty. Others were barricaded by the military and declared off-limits to outsiders.

Dissident groups believe 200 people were killed in the initial clampdown last week, and 6000 people have been imprisoned so far. (With inputs from ANI)