12 people, including village administrator, shot dead in Mandalay Region’s Mahlaing Township

Twelve people, including a junta-appointed village administrator, were shot and killed in Mandalay Region’s Mahlaing Township on Monday, according to Myanmar’s military, local residents, and a resistance-linked group. The incident occurred in Htanmagyi, a village located about two miles west of the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway, local sources and junta-controlled media said. Those killed included village administrator Soe Lin Htike, 10 other men, and two women. Their ages ranged from about 20 to 60, according to reports. An official from Guardians of Mahlaing, a group that reports on resistance activities in the township, said the victims included leaders and members of the pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia. Their alleged cooperation with the military and involvement in activities against civilians are likely why they were targeted, he added. “They forcibly drafted citizens into porter service and caused trouble for the public. Resistance forces had long designated them as military targets and were just waiting for the right opportunity,” he told Myanmar Now. The allegations could not be independently verified. However, a local resident who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that the group had been involved in intimidation and arrests of civilians and was believed to be receiving salaries from the military. “During the [junta-controlled] elections, they even used loudspeakers to warn people that those who didn’t vote would be arrested,” the local resident said. In a statement released on Tuesday, Myanmar’s military said that about 25 members of the anti-junta People’s Defence Force entered the village in three vehicles and on motorcycles on Monday morning and shot the 12 people before leaving the area. According to the statement, the bodies were taken to Mahlaing Public Hospital and security operations were continuing. As of Tuesday, no resistance group has claimed responsibility for the killings. Residents and the Guardians of Mahlaing official said military troops arrived in the area later Monday, with some soldiers remaining in the village on Tuesday. Mahlaing Township lies east of the Ayeyarwady River, between Myingyan and Meiktila townships. Htanmagyi is located about 12 miles from the town of Mahlaing. The killing comes amid increased military operations in parts of Mandalay Region where resistance forces have maintained a strong presence, including Myingyan, Taungtha, and Ngazun townships. Resistance sources say military columns have also increased their operations around Mahlaing and neighbouring Kyaukpadaung Township since the middle of this year. In late June, military forces reportedly entered northwestern Mahlaing Township and established a position at Pann Ein Pagoda along the Taungtha-Mahlaing road. Local residents said troops there were collecting money from passing vehicles. During the second week of August, a military column moving from the Kyaukpadaung area reportedly raided and burned villages in southwestern Mahlaing Township. A local resident said more than 30 homes were destroyed and farm equipment, food, valuables and other household goods were taken. The resident said the military may be seeking to re-establish control along the road between Meiktila and Myingyan. Resistance forces in Mandalay Region made significant territorial gains in 2024, during the second phase of Operation 1027. But since last year, after China helped broker a ceasefire in northern Shan State, the military has launched renewed offensives in central Myanmar. Resistance forces subsequently lost control of several areas in Mandalay Region, including Sintgaing, Thabeikkyin, and Tagaung townships, as well as parts of Sagaing Region.

12 people, including village administrator, shot dead in Mandalay Region’s Mahlaing Township

So far, no resistance group has claimed responsibility for the killings, which appeared to target pro-junta militia members

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