Leader of Myanmar resistance group says troops killed in raid by NUG-led forces

The Burma National Revolutionary Army (BNRA), a resistance group active in Sagaing Region’s Pale Region, claimed that several of its members were killed on Tuesday during raids carried out by forces aligned with the National Unity Government (NUG). According to BNRA leader Bo Nagar, several district battalions of the NUG-led People’s Defence Force (PDF) were involved in the raids, which he said had resulted in some members of his group being killed or injured, and others being captured. “We instructed our soldiers to withdraw from the checkpoints, emphasising that they must retreat no matter what,” he told Myanmar Now on Tuesday. “We told them not to return fire unless they were directly attacked and their lives were at risk. But some comrades were still wounded by drone and artillery strikes. I’ve heard there were fatalities as well as injuries,” he added. The raids, targeting three camps operated by the group, are just the latest escalation of a dispute over the control of checkpoints—where local civilians are also often expected to pay road tolls—in Pale Township. The BNRA has clashed repeatedly with the NUG over the issue. Last month, members of the group attacked a checkpoint operated by local NUG authorities, just over a week after two of its own toll gates were shut down. Nay Phone Latt, spokesperson for the NUG’s Prime Minister’s Office, said the group was also facing punishment for other, unspecified offences. “Alongside the recent offences, their past crimes are also under consideration. I don’t currently know the number of arrests and don’t plan to reveal details of the crimes yet, but a statement will be issued if necessary,” he said. Last week, tensions came to a head again when two BNRA members fatally shot a member of Yinmarbin District PDF Battalion 4 on the evening of February 12. In a statement, the group said that its members had merely returned fire after being shot at first. It added that the case would be prosecuted under its own internal justice system, and again under a future elected government. The victim of that shooting, Ko Tone, had previously served in Bo Nagar’s Myanmar Royal Dragon Army, but later distanced himself from the group after it became the BNRA and parted ways from the NUG, according to a friend. A number of anti-regime groups operate in Pale Township, where resistance forces control most areas outside of the main town. Besides the NUG-led forces and the BNRA, these include the People’s Liberation Army, the All Burma Students’ Democratic Front, and local defence teams. While the BNRA led other groups in an offensive to capture the town of Pale in November 2024, it did not take part in a campaign to take control of Kant Daunt, a village on the road linking Pale to neighbouring Magway Region, in June of last year. No major battles with regime forces have been reported in Pale Township in recent months, but the junta continues to carry out frequent airstrikes in the area.

Leader of Myanmar resistance group says troops killed in raid by NUG-led forces

Tensions between the NUG and the Burma National Revolutionary Army continue to rise over control of checkpoints in Sagaing’s Pale Township

Subscribe for full access

How the global fuel crisis is upending Myanmar’s rice supply chain

No way out: Junta airstrike leaves prisoners burned alive in AA camp

Killing their own: How Myanmar’s military targets those left behind

The costly resistance operation that saved hundreds of civilian hostages

Subscribe for full access

Related Articles

Myanmar dictator names members of new ‘super council’

Myanmar junta leader sworn in as self-appointed president

Insein Prison authorities deny medical treatment to seriously ill Myanmar Now journalist

Myanmar clients sue Norway’s Telenor for giving data to junta