A fierce battle between military council forces from Watluu Police Station in Natogyi Township, Mandalay Region, and People’s Defense Forces resulted in significant casualties and equipment losses for the military council. The clash occurred on March 9 when a military column of approximately 200 troops from Light Infantry Division 101, departing from Watluu Police Station, was attacked by a coalition of forces including Myingyan District Battalions 4 and 10, Natogyi Township PDF, and allied groups.
The battle, which took place southwest of Kyubin Bo village, resulted in 25 military council troops being killed and 14 being captured, including Major Win Lwin Oo and Captain Aung Ko Ko. A substantial cache of weapons was seized during the operation, including 19 MA-1 rifles, 2 MA-2 rifles, 7 MA-3 rifles, 2 MA-5 rifles, 7 MA-11 rifles, 1 MA-12 rifle, 2 G-3 rifles, 1 G-4 rifle, two 60mm mortars, and one 81mm mortar, totaling 44 weapons.
The seized ammunition and equipment included 12,000 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 1,045 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 19 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 28 60mm mortar shells, 7 81mm mortar shells, 7 RPG warheads, 8 RPG propelling charges, 21 hand grenades, 5 landmines, and 11 hand grenades. Additionally, two laptops and two radio communication devices were captured. During the battle, the military council conducted two airstrikes, resulting in the deaths of two PDF members from Natogyi Township, according to a statement released by Military Region 1.
