10 militia members, junta security personnel killed in Bago Region attacks

Ten of the military regime’s security personnel and militia allies were shot dead in Bago Region’s Thayarwaddy District over the weekend, according to anti-junta fighters and internal police communications. At around 11pm on Saturday, members of the People’s Defence Forces (PDF) reportedly opened fire on members of junta-sponsored militias and the regime’s Public Security and Counter-Terrorism Oversight Committee (Pa La Ka Pha) at a karaoke establishment on the Yangon-Pyay road south of Zigon, Bago Region. Five men and two women were killed, according to Ko Aung, the commander of Company 3 of the PDF’s Nattalin Township Battalion 3801. He added that three other people sustained injuries. “Seven people were killed, and we withdrew around 11pm without suffering any casualties,” he said. The resistance forces also seized a G3 rifle, five cartridges, 80 rounds of ammunition, three knives, and a pair of handcuffs from the militia members and junta personnel, he added. According to an internal junta police cable obtained by Myanmar Now, the five men were all identified as members of the Pyu Saw Htee or “people’s” militias trained and sponsored by the junta, or as members of the Public Security and Counter-Terrorism Oversight Committee that the junta created last year. The police messages also confirmed that two women were killed. Local and resistance sources said the women were employees at the karaoke establishment, but Myanmar Now has yet to confirm their identities. Another attack killed five armed personnel manning a vehicle checkpoint in Gyobingauk, Bago Region on Sunday, a local resistance fighter said. A group of around 15 armed people arrived at the checkpoint in an FAW truck before opening fire, according to the junta police’s internal communications, killing a police officer and four counterterrorism personnel. The police cable also said three rifles were missing from the checkpoint after the attack. At the time of reporting, resistance forces had not released any public statements about the incident at the checkpoint, and it remains unclear whether the assailants were connected to resistance groups. Since the attack, junta troops have been carrying out clearing operations and questioning civilians in Gyobingauk Township, according to a local resistance member. “It’s likely they’ll retaliate after their losses. They might target innocent people in the villages or places they believe PDF members may be operating,” he said. “So far, though, there haven’t been any attacks.” He added that local resistance forces had received a tip that junta forces are preparing to raid a resistance base in the Bago Yoma hills, but are awaiting reinforcements before they initiate the operation. The military regime does not give statements to the media about military or combat operations in western Bago Region.

10 militia members, junta security personnel killed in Bago Region attacks

Resistance fighters claimed responsibility for an attack that killed seven junta counterterrorism operatives and Pyu Saw Htee militia members, as well as two women whose identities remain unconfirmed

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