KARENNI STATE – The Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) Battalion 9 announced that a soldier from junta Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 429 based in Bawlakhae had entered the legal fold.
The soldier who was deployed to LIB 429 after being drafted during the first batch of military conscription reportedly contacted and surrendered to KNDF Battalion 9 with his weapon on February 3.
It is said that he was forcibly conscripted against his will in February 2024 after the conscription law was announced and was deployed to LIB 429 in Bawlakhae, Karenni State in June of that year.
He reportedly deserted the junta army with his MA-11 gun and three cartridges as he was forcibly conscripted against his will and because he wishes to spend his days as an ordinary citizens without meaninglessly fighting against other civilians for the military dictator.
Since four junta soldiers previously defected on December 11 with three weapons, a total of five junta soldiers have entered the legal fold under KNDF Battalion 9 in three months.
KNDF Battalion 9 stated that they provided necessary assistance to the junta soldiers who entered the legal fold and delivered them to safety. They also urged the remaining troops under the junta council to surrender and enter the legal fold under revolutionary forces.
