Two Pyu Saw Htee members who were leading forced recruitment of young people as porters in Htone Bo Township, Bago Region, were killed in an attack by the Battalion 3801, Company 5, Kyoe Pin Kauk HERO guerrilla force of Thayarwaddy District. The incident occurred around 8:30 PM on April 8 when the two Pyu Saw Htee members, Phoe Phyu and Yan Naing Soe, were returning home after drinking alcohol in Kyoe Pin Wine village of Htone Bo Township.
According to the statement from the resistance force, these two Pyu Saw Htee members were actively involved in extorting money from local civilians, reporting People’s Defense Force (PDF) movements to the military council, and leading forced recruitment of young people for military service. They were also known to report households with young people to the Htone Bo police station for the purpose of extorting money from these families. The two were prominent figures in supporting the military council’s oppressive activities in the area.
Although there were reports that they were carrying guns and explosives at the time of the attack, no weapons were found during the search of their bodies after the incident. The Thayarwaddy District PDF has announced that they will continue to intensify their operations and has urged local civilians to avoid contact with military council troops, Pyu Saw Htee members, and other military council affiliates as much as possible. This incident represents ongoing resistance efforts against those who collaborate with the military council in oppressing local communities and forcing young people into military service.
