A military checkpoint collecting extortion money in Pyawbwe Township, Mandalay Region, was attacked by resistance forces, resulting in the death of four soldiers including Warrant Officer Than Oo. The attack was carried out by the Aung San’s Land (Natmauk) forces, who conducted a ground assault on the military checkpoint near Nyaungkone Police Station in Pyawbwe Township on June 26. A spokesperson from the resistance group confirmed the operation and its outcomes.
During the attack, one Pyu Saw Htee militia member and one police officer fled the scene with their weapons. Following the assault, the resistance forces seized several weapons and items from the deceased soldiers, including three MA-1 rifles, 64 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 180,500 kyats in extorted money collected from civilians, and two mobile phones. The resistance group’s statement detailed these captured items as evidence of the military’s extortion activities in the area.
The engagement lasted only three minutes, and the resistance forces were able to withdraw successfully without suffering any casualties. This operation was described as a response to the military council’s oppressive actions against civilians, specifically targeting their practice of extorting money from local residents through illegal checkpoints. The resistance group emphasized that such actions were necessary to stop the military’s systematic exploitation and intimidation of civilian populations in the region. The successful operation demonstrated the growing capabilities of resistance forces in challenging the military council’s control over local areas and their ability to protect civilians from systematic exploitation.
