A senior military official from the Myanmar military council was captured alive while attempting to flee in civilian clothes in Palaw Township, Tanintharyi Region. Major Thein Htike, the acting commander of Light Infantry Battalion 103 based in Myeik, was apprehended while traveling on a civilian passenger vehicle along Union Highway No. 8 in Palaw Township. The arrest was confirmed by an official from the People’s Defense Force (PDF) Battalion 1 in Myeik District.
The capture occurred around 10 AM on March 26, when joint resistance forces intercepted the vehicle carrying the disguised commander. According to sources, Major Thein Htike had abandoned his unit following a mine attack on their convoy in Tanintharyi Township. He had been attempting to escape to Yangon, leaving behind his troops after the attack. It was revealed that he had only served as acting battalion commander for six months before his attempted desertion, and had been on the run for five days before his capture. The arrested commander will be processed according to prisoner of war regulations, as stated by resistance officials.
The successful operation was carried out through coordination between the People’s Defense Force, Myeik District Battalion 1, and the Karen National Defense Organization (KNDO) Battalion 7. This incident demonstrates the continuing pattern of desertions and declining morale within the military council’s forces. A spokesperson from PDF Battalion 1 in Myeik District used this opportunity to call on remaining military council soldiers and officers to join forces with the public and desert the military. The capture of such a high-ranking officer highlights the growing instability within the military council’s ranks and the effectiveness of resistance forces’ intelligence networks in identifying and apprehending fleeing military personnel.
