A defected soldier named Nan Lin Thu has revealed that numerous military council troops were killed during the battle in Nyaung Kyo, Pantaung Township, Bago Region, due to misguided airstrikes by the military council’s air force. According to his account, more than 120 soldiers were killed as a result of both erroneous bombing by military aircraft and attacks by the Arakan Army (AA), while the remaining troops scattered and fled in disarray.
Nan Lin Thu, a new military recruit, was forcibly conscripted on September 18, 2024, when he was captured as a porter by military council forces in Yepyanseingyogyi village, Gyobingauk Township. He was then taken to Light Infantry Battalion 6 (Underground) and subsequently sent to No. 4 Military Advanced Training School in Wekali, Thanzayat Township, where he completed Military Service Course No. 6. After training, he was deployed to the Natthankin frontline outpost in Kyaukkyi Township, Bago Region, before being transferred to the Nyaung Kyo outpost.
On March 16, Nan Lin Thu surrendered without weapons to the Underground Guerrilla Force-Oatpo, Battalion 3802 Division 4 of Thayarwady District. According to his testimony, the number of casualties from the military council’s own airstrikes during the Nyaung Kyo battle exceeded those caused by AA attacks. He has now joined the revolutionary forces and declared his intention to fight against the violent military forces. The Underground Guerrilla Force-Oatpo has issued a statement encouraging other forcibly conscripted soldiers and military council troops to defect, promising appropriate rewards for those who surrender with their weapons to revolutionary forces.
