A military soldier was killed in an attack that occurred in Myinmu Township, Sagaing Region on August 4th. The incident took place when the People’s Defense Force (PDF) conducted a close-range attack on soldiers who had left the Gwepinhtaw camp on the Monywa-Mandalay road for patrol duties. According to an official from the Monywa District Battalion 11 People’s Defense Force, the attack occurred at approximately 1:50 PM.
Five soldiers from the military council’s checkpoint in Gwepinhtaw village were on foot patrol, intending to set up an ambush position along the Monywa-Mandalay highway. When they reached near the Hsin-Hnakaung monastery, PDF forces, who had been waiting in position, launched their attack. The engagement resulted in one soldier’s death, while the remaining four soldiers retreated and took shelter inside the Hsin-Hnakaung monastery. Due to the considerable distance between the attack site and the military checkpoint, the PDF forces were unable to retrieve the deceased soldier’s weapon.
The operation was carried out by members of the Monywa District Military Command, Strategy 64, Monywa District Battalion 11 People’s Defense Force. Following the attack, all PDF forces successfully withdrew from the area without sustaining any casualties. A PDF official has appealed to local civilians to provide whatever support they can to their battalion. Additionally, the PDF has issued safety advisories to civilians using the Monywa-Mandalay road, urging them to maintain a safe distance when encountering military convoys and to stop and seek shelter immediately if they encounter any active fighting in the area.
