A soldier who defected to the Yinmabin District Battalion 12 Guerilla Ranger Force has revealed that their column commander was injured by a mine and one soldier was killed while their unit became scattered during operations near Kandaung camp in Pale Township, Sagaing Region. The military column, which was sent as reinforcement by the Northwestern Command to prevent the fall of Kandaung camp, faced attacks along their route from resistance forces. The defector, Ko Htet Lin Aung (aka) Ko Kyaw Ko, provided these details after surrendering to the resistance forces.
Ko Htet Lin Aung was forcibly recruited into the military after being detained for two weeks following a drinking incident in October 2023. He underwent five months of military training in Yeni and Taungoo cities, followed by two months of field duty. He was then transferred to the Northwestern Command headquarters in Monywa before being airlifted to Inn Ma Htee Pyu Saw Htee camp as reinforcement for the Kandaung village battle. After their column was attacked and scattered by revolutionary forces, he escaped with an MA1 rifle, 45 rounds of ammunition, and one mine, subsequently surrendering to Battalion 12 of the Yinmabin District.
On June 7, the Northwestern Command headquarters in Monywa deployed approximately 140 troops by helicopter to Inn Ma Htee village’s Pyu Saw Htee camp in Pale Township. As this reinforcement column proceeded on foot toward Kandaung village, they were ambushed and surrounded by the People’s Liberation Army and allied forces. The military column has since been scattered, with troops dispersed in various locations. According to the defector, some troops are currently stationed in Keingwin village with approximately 30 personnel, while others are either missing or casualties. The fighting has temporarily subsided, though the column commander was reportedly injured by a mine, and at least one soldier who had planned to defect was killed in the engagement. The battle for Kandaung camp, which began on June 2 under the leadership of the PLA and revolutionary forces, has continued intensely for nearly two weeks.
