Two newly trained soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 342 based at Nanthaswun forward base in Kyamaukgyi Township, Tanintharyi Region, have defected to the People’s Defense Force (PDF) in Kawthaung Township on June 2. According to Comrade Inn Bi Lu, the Information and Communication Officer of Kawthaung Township PDF, the two soldiers from Training Batch 8 made contact via phone and defected without bringing their weapons.
One of the defectors, Ko Zin Min Thu, is from Ayeyarwady Region and completed Training Batch 8 at the Military’s Advanced Training School No. 3. His last posting was at LIB 342’s forward base in Nanthaswun, Kyamaukgyi Township. The other defector, Ko Nay Myo Htun, is from Taunggut Township in Rakhine State and also completed Training Batch 8 at the same advanced training school before being assigned to the forward base of LIB 342.
According to Comrade Inn Bi Lu, the two defecting soldiers reported that they had disposed of their weapons in a stream before making contact. Due to the absence of weapons, they were not eligible for monetary rewards typically given to defectors who bring weapons. The two defectors are currently being kept in a secure location. The Kawthaung Township PDF has announced that they maintain open channels for any military council soldiers who wish to leave their posts and join the people’s side, emphasizing their commitment to accepting defectors who choose to stand with the civilian population.
