Eight members of the Pyu Saw Htee group, including their leader Zaw Zaw, were killed during a raid by resistance forces while they were extorting money from civilians in Gan Gaw Ward, New Bagan, Mandalay Region. The incident occurred when the Thanaungtmay Column and allied forces launched a joint operation after receiving information about the Pyu Saw Htee group’s extortion activities at a local religious hall. The Pyu Saw Htee group, which operates under the military junta, had been collecting protection money from local residents when they were confronted by resistance forces.
According to Comrade Mu Tu, the Information Officer from the Thanaungtmay Column, the operation specifically targeted Pyu Saw Htee leader Zaw Zaw and his followers. During the confrontation, the Pyu Saw Htee members attempted to retaliate with hand grenades. However, their grenades were hit by gunfire and exploded, resulting in the death of eight members, including leader Zaw Zaw, while one member was wounded. The resistance forces conducted the operation after confirming reports that the group was using a religious building as a base for their extortion activities.
Following the operation, resistance forces seized various weapons and equipment from the deceased Pyu Saw Htee members. The seized items included one homemade .22 caliber rifle, one homemade carbine, one hand grenade, ten carbine rounds, six .22 caliber bullets, two motorcycles, and various Pyu Saw Htee identification documents. The joint operation, carried out by the Thanaungtmay Column in collaboration with the BAGAN & NYAUNG-U Special Task Force, was conducted to protect local civilians from the ongoing extortion and oppression by Pyu Saw Htee groups who operate as proxies for the military junta in the region.
