A series of clashes between resistance forces and military council troops near Palein village in Shwebo Township, Sagaing Region, resulted in one military council soldier’s death and four injuries over two consecutive days, according to a senior official from the Garuda People’s Defense Force. The confrontations occurred as military council troops were moving in and around the village area.
On March 3rd, at approximately 11:30 AM, a 30-minute battle erupted when military council soldiers and Pyu Saw Htee militia members attempted to retrieve two of their wounded comrades who had been injured by landmines. The injured soldiers were being held at a school in Palein village. While there were confirmed casualties on the military council’s side during this engagement, the exact numbers could not be immediately verified. The operation was carried out through a coordinated effort of multiple resistance groups, including the Shwebo Township PDF, Territory 5 Strike Force, Garuda PDF, Lightning Storm Force, Regional Battalion 4 Unit 2, and resistance forces from Depayin Township’s Territories 3 and 4.
During the confrontation, several drone units participated in the operation, including drone teams from Shwebo Township Territory 5, Garuda Fixed Wing, Arman Fixed Wing, Bilu Brothers Fixed Wing, and P1811 Drone Battalion. These units conducted aerial bombing operations to support ground forces. The previous day, on March 2nd, military council troops conducting patrol operations north of Palein village encountered a mine planted by the Lightning resistance force, resulting in one soldier being wounded. Later that same day, another engagement occurred when resistance forces encountered military council troops who had ventured to the southwest of Palein village to gather vegetables and firewood. This 15-minute clash resulted in one military council soldier being killed and three others wounded.
The resistance forces’ representative from the Garuda People’s Defense Force explained that they were unable to launch follow-up attacks due to ammunition shortages, despite having tactical opportunities to engage retreating military council forces. The coordinated operations demonstrated the increasing cooperation between various resistance groups in the region, including local defense forces, specialized units, and drone warfare capabilities. The resistance forces continue to maintain pressure on military council positions while facing logistical challenges, particularly regarding ammunition supplies.
