By Garcia Ni / MPA
Clashes erupted following the resumed offensive of the junta in Tamu Township, Sagaing Region, resulting in casualties on both sides, according to local sources.
A combined force, approximately 60 in number, of junta soldiers, the Meitei Armed Group and Pyu Saw Htee militia members stationed in Panthar Pyu Saw Htee Village in southern Tamu, attacked the outpost of the Tamu District Battalion 4 near Nanmunta Village around 5:00 AM on October 23. Three defense force members lost their lives with one sustaining injury.
“They, about 60 in number, launched an attack on the outpost of our Battalion-4. There were only six of our comrades at the outpost. They captured our position with a large number of troops, and three of our comrades were killed in action while one was injured. The others managed to escape,” Ko Natkat, the intelligence officer of Tamu District Battalion-4 told MPA.
The bodies of the fallen comrades were recovered within hours, though four firearms and a 40mm launcher were lost.
Following the attack, about ten junta soldiers on five motorcycles attempted to advance further, believing they had fully captured outposts around Nanmunta Village. However, a clash broke out with the ambush patrol of the Tamuu District Battalion 1, resulting in the death of four junta soldiers, and capturing one alive.
“They thought they had taken Nanmunta outpost and advanced with five motorcycles and ten soldiers covered under tarpaulin sheets. They were ambushed when they reached the gate of District Battalion 1 on Asia Road. As they were unaware of our presence, four of them were killed instantly, while one was captured. We also seized four firearms,” Ko Natkat added.
The junta had ceased launching offensives in Tamu Township since December 2023, with local defense forces instead attacking junta outposts. However, the junta resumed its offensive starting on October 23, a local resident reported.
“Minthar on the North, and Panthar on the South of Tamu, both villages are Pyu Saw Htee and the junta strongholds. In the northern part, the junta troops are stationed in Minthar Village. North of that village, we’ve already taken control of Myothit. In the south, they are based in Panthar, just eight miles from Tamu. They have checkpoints between Tamu and Panthar. It’s been a while since they launched any offensives. The last time they pushed toward Khanpat was in December last year, but after that, they stopped. Now, it seems they’ve resumed their offensive,” the source explained.
In recent days, the junta soldiers and Pyu Saw Htee militias have also frequently arrested and executed civilians in Tamu Town under the pretext of relation with defense forces.
“Recently, someone linked to the PDF entered the town. Because of his information, five civilians from Saw Bwar Ward were arrested around October 20. One of them was reportedly killed,” said a local resident.
The junta column that had previously launched the offensive, has retreated to Yan Gyi Aung Village, where they remain in a position to launch further offensives and the Tamu-Khanpat highway has been locked down, according to local sources.
