A clash occurred between the military council forces and resistance fighters in Htone Pho Township, Bago Region, resulting in military casualties and the capture of innocent civilians who were used as human shields. According to a responsible officer from Battalion 3802, Company 6 Black Dragon GBK-PDF of Thayarwaddy District, the incident took place around 10 AM on July 20th when approximately 100 military council troops entered the township for operations. The resistance forces launched an attack when the military column reached the entrance of Kyoe Ko Pin village.
During the battle, both sides engaged in heavy fighting using both heavy and light weapons. Five military council soldiers were killed instantly, and three others were wounded. The resistance forces successfully withdrew from the area without any casualties. However, the injured military council soldiers captured five innocent civilians who were passing by and used them as human shields. These civilians are currently being detained at the Ah Lal Kone Police Station. Two bodies of military council soldiers remain uncollected in a field near Kyoe Ko Pin village entrance, causing a foul odor in the area according to local residents.
Currently, as the military council forces frequently use innocent civilians as human shields during their military operations, resistance forces have warned the public to avoid areas where military council troops are present. The resistance forces have also announced that they will continue to launch strong attacks against military council forces. This incident highlights the ongoing pattern of the military council using civilians as tactical shields during their operations, putting innocent lives at risk and violating basic human rights principles.
