Mizzima

Five junta soldiers were killed in fighting with Kyauktaga Township People’s Defence Force (PDF) near Nanza Village, in Kyauktaga Township, Bago Region, on 25 July.

Kyauktaga Township PDF detonated Claymore mines as a junta convoy of about 40 soldiers was passing near Nanza Village at around 9:00 p.m. on 25 July.

After the Claymores detonated the PDF fighters attacked the junta soldiers and there was fighting. Five junta soldiers including a captain were killed and seven others were seriously injured. The injured are being treated at Taungoo Hospital, according to a soldier from Kyauktaga Township PDF.

“During the fighting, we seized one BA-94 submachine gun from an army soldier. Our members retreated safely”, said a Kyauktaga Township PDF official.

After the attack junta troops set fire to Nanza Village several times and stole villagers’ belongings, according to a Kyauktaga Township PDF member.

A Nanza villager said: “The Military Council's army repeatedly set fire to Nanza Village, destroying nine houses. Military Council soldiers also took away threshing machines, motorcycles, and other valuables.”

Around 8,000 people have fled villages in Kyauktaga Township due to the junta firing artillery and torching houses. The current situation is tense.

Kyauktaga Township is located on the Yangon to Naypyitaw highway. According to a Bago-based resistance force, the junta has increased security along the Yangon to Naypyitaw to Mandalay highway.