An official from the 4th Battalion of Kanbalu District has confirmed that two military council soldiers were captured alive along with their weapons and ammunition near Ngetpyawdaing village in Kanbalu Township, Sagaing Region. The capture occurred on March 5 during a territory clearance operation near Ngetpyawdaing village along the Shwebo-Myitkyina strategic road, conducted by joint forces including the 4th Battalion of Kanbalu District and various People’s Defense Forces (PDF) groups from the area.
According to the battalion official, the captured soldiers were not deserters from their column but were apprehended during the clearance operation. Since February 20, a military council force of approximately 300 soldiers had been moving from the Zeekon Sugar Factory in Kanbalu Township toward the Shwebo-Myitkyina road. During this movement, People’s Defense Forces launched attacks against the military column, resulting in numerous casualties among the military council forces.
Following these losses, the military council forces have been retaliating against local civilians through various acts of violence, including taking hostages, killing civilians, and burning down residential homes. As a result, thousands of local residents have been forced to flee their homes. The local population is facing significant challenges regarding their livelihood and security due to the military council’s violent actions. The situation has created a humanitarian crisis in the area, with displaced civilians struggling to find safe shelter and basic necessities while avoiding the military council’s ongoing operations and retaliatory actions against civilian populations.
