The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the National Unity Government (NUG) has reported findings that the Indian Army captured, tortured, and killed 10 members of the People’s Defense Force without any combat engagement. On May 14, 10 members of the Tamu District People’s Defense Force (PDF), who were temporarily stationed at a camp on the Myanmar side of the Myanmar-India border near Kamma Gyi village in Sagaing Region, went missing. The Assam Rifles (1st Battalion, Chandel District, Manipur State), an Indian border security force, returned their 10 bodies on May 16.
Based on ground situation assessments, report findings, and discussions, the NUG has determined that contrary to Indian media reports, there was no direct combat engagement. The 10 PDF members did not die in a confrontation on Indian territory. Instead, despite prior notification of the temporary camp relocation, the Indian Army’s Assam Rifles unjustifiably arrested, tortured, and killed the PDF members.
When requesting the return of the bodies, the Indian Army pressured Myanmar representatives to sign an agreement not to oppose future border fencing, claiming the PDF members were eliminated for entering Indian territory. The Indian forces only returned the bodies after securing these signatures. Regarding this incident, the NUG has called on the Indian government to investigate the truth, take responsibility through proper investigation, hold those responsible accountable, and provide compensation to the victims’ families.
Furthermore, the NUG has requested measures to prevent similar incidents in the future and called for a temporary suspension of unilateral border fencing during the ongoing border demarcation negotiations. The NUG believes this incident does not represent the Indian government’s policy stance and expresses commitment to maximum cooperation on border issues while maintaining long-term bilateral relations.
The NUG has urged Myanmar citizens both within Myanmar and in India to understand and trust the NUG’s handling of this matter, to avoid any actions that might harm bilateral relations, and to cooperate with relevant organizations on drug enforcement and rule of law issues in border areas. The NUG has emphasized that it would be difficult to address future complications if the truth about this incident is not revealed, and therefore strongly urges the Indian government to give this matter special attention.
