In the early morning of March 20, People’s Defense Force (PDF) units launched an attack on the Oakthwin Tarsone checkpoint along the Yangon-Pyay road, resulting in military council troops surrendering with white flags and fleeing into Sitpin town. The battle lasted from approximately 1:30 AM to 3:00 AM, during which PDF forces successfully took control of the entire military checkpoint and subsequently burned it down. According to local sources, all military council personnel at the checkpoint raised white flags and fled into Sitpin town, with some reportedly fleeing without proper clothing. The total number of fleeing soldiers, including those without weapons and those carrying wounded personnel, was estimated to be around thirty.
The Oakthwin Tarsone checkpoint had been a site of ongoing civilian oppression, where military council forces regularly extorted money from passing civilians and forced them into porter service. Following the battle, around 8:00 AM, a military council column of approximately 100 personnel arrived to dismantle the remaining checkpoint infrastructure. Subsequently, military forces began establishing defensive positions in both Sitpin and Minhla towns. The military council troops also conducted raids on several villages including U Toe Kanyin Pin village, U Toe Myanmar Su village, and U Toe Saphyu Su village, during which they forcibly confiscated two motorcycles belonging to local residents.
While the Ayeyarwady Region PDF has not yet issued an official statement regarding the operation, local residents have expressed relief at the removal of the checkpoint, which had been a source of continuous harassment and extortion. The successful operation represents a significant blow to the military council’s control over the important Yangon-Pyay transportation route and demonstrates the growing capabilities of resistance forces in the region. The incident has also highlighted the declining morale among military council troops, as evidenced by their quick surrender and retreat when faced with organized resistance forces.
