It is reported that more than 160 soldiers, including a colonel rank, were killed in the town of Shartaw who did not surrender and defended themselves.
On February 12, at around 7:00 a.m., the Karenni Revolutionary Joint Force launched an offensive and captured the last defensive base in Shartaw Town, Karenni State, according to an official of the KNDF force based in Shartaw.
“On the 12th, we captured the entire town of Shartaw. The battle in Shartaw has been going on for almost a month. They had been holding out. We have captured outlying guard camps and bases since January. We told them to surrender again and again, but they didn’t. So, we had to do so,” he said.
Starting on January 15th, the Karenni Revolutionary Joint Forces launched an offensive attack on two front-line camp hills of the 482nd Light Infantry Battalion on Pagoda Hill at the entrance of the town, and they were completely captured on January 17th.
After that, they continued to attack outlying guard camps in front of strategic hill camps in Shartaw Town, and the revolutionary forces were able to surround and block the strategic camp on January 21, according to the KNDF’s statement.
KNDF announced that more than 160 soldiers, including colonels, lieutenant colonels, majors, and deputy police chiefs, were defeated in the battle to seize Shartaw, and some prisoners of war were also captured.
“Initially, there were 29 captives. The chief strategist was also captured alive. Also, the soldiers and their family members from the strategic hill camp were captured. There were also children and women. They were kept in a safe place,” said an official of the Karenni Army (KA), which took part in the battle in Sharhtaw.
According to KNDF forces, during the battle to capture Shartaw Town, 128 small arms, 18 heavy arms, 3 smoke guns, 1 jammer gun, communication devices, ammunition, and accessories were seized.
“During the battle, the Junta troops gave 205 air strikes. When we were near the strategic hill camps, they sent reinforcements with helicopters. They used planes, jet fighters, and Y12 drop bombs,” he said.
MPA investigated the fact that three KNDF soldiers were killed and some soldiers from the Allied Revolutionary Forces were also killed during the battle.
Currently, Shartaw town is occupied by the KNDF and joint forces.
MPA cannot independently confirm the deaths of the soldiers.