A Pyu leader and village administrator involved in forcing youth into military service was eliminated by underground guerrilla forces in Ottpo Township, Thayarwady District, Bago Region. On April 8 at 1:24 PM, Phoe Phyu, the Pyu leader and village administrator from Paunghtaisu Village in Thayet Hna Zwa Leim Village Tract, Ottpo Township, was returning alone by motorcycle from Infantry Battalion 6 when he was intercepted and shot by members of Battalion 3802 Division 4 Underground Guerrilla Forces-Ottpo near Paunghtaisu Village. He sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
Phoe Phyu had been hosting military council soldiers at his home while posting guards outside and threatening to burn down the village, forcing both the village monk and civilians to flee. During this time, he looted possessions from villagers’ homes. In the absence of higher authority, he collaborated with the military council while serving as both village administrator and Pyu leader. From the deceased Phoe Phyu, forces recovered one hand grenade, one motorcycle, two mobile phones used for communicating with military council troops, and 67,000 kyats in cash.
The elimination was carried out because Phoe Phyu had been gathering and reporting intelligence about revolutionary forces to military council troops, hosting soldiers and police who were forcibly recruiting youth as porters, directing the looting of civilians’ homes, and ordering threats to burn down properties. The underground guerrilla forces have warned that they will intensify operations against the military council and its supporters who are oppressing civilians and revolutionary forces. They have strongly advised civilians to completely avoid going near or residing close to such individuals.
