Resistance forces have fully captured Indaw Town in northern Sagaing Region, near the Kachin State border, following nearly eight months of attacks, sources said on April Monday.
Armed groups operating under the National Unity Government (NUG) and the All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF) led the offensive. Allied resistance groups captured Japan Cave Hill, the junta’s final position in Indaw, around 8pm on Monday, according to a frontline source.
“Yes, they captured it tonight,” the source said. “Many prisoners of war were taken as they surrendered and laid down their weapons. Throughout the day, junta aircraft were dropping bombs. There were casualties on both sides.”
The base was jointly captured by ABSDF, Sagaing Region Special Battalion 1, and armed forces operating under the NUG government’s Military Region 1.
During the battle, the junta reportedly carried out all-day airstrikes using jet fighters and Y-12 aircraft, small propeller planes typically used for surveillance and transport, but can also conduct bombings.
“When they advanced in formation, our forces fought back, and eventually captured Myo Ma Monastery and Reclining Buddha Pagoda Hill,” another source told Myanmar Now. “After that, we captured Japan Cave Hill.”
Japan Cave Hill is located east of Indaw Town, a vantage point that strategically overlooks both Indaw Town and the Shwebo-Myitkyina road.
Resistance forces launched an offensive on Indaw on August 16 of last year, capturing all residential areas within two months, leaving only the junta’s Japan Cave Hill base under junta control.
After securing the hilltop base, about 40 junta troops surrendered and were captured as prisoners. The same source said that their exact numbers and ranks are still being verified. Casualties among allied resistance forces are also still being assessed. Resistance forces seized a large Howitzer, and numerous weapons and ammunition.
In December 2023, the ABSDF and allied resistance forces captured Maw Luu, located 20 miles north of Indaw. Since then, they have joined forces with ethnic armed groups, including the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), to launch attacks on junta positions in Mandalay and Sagaing regions.
Mandalay PDF (MDY-PDF) and other allied armed groups have captured Singu, Thabeikkyin, and Tagaung towns in Mandalay Region, while forces under the NUG have captured towns such as Indaw, Khamapat, Shwe Pyi Aye, and Pinlebu in Sagaing Region.
