Fighting in Lay Kay Kaw in Karen State’s Myawaddy has intensified recently and the junta responded to the capture of some of its troops, including a captain, by attacking the area with two helicopters.

The fighting started at 2.00am on Sunday 10 April, after 300 junta troops marched into an area controlled by KNU Brigade (6) where there were Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) Cobra forces.

During the fighting junta army Captain Tin Lin Khine was captured and his weapons were confiscated, according to a statement by the National Unity Government (NUG).

According to a frontline soldier from the People's Defense Force (PDF), the military then used two helicopters to carry out airstrikes during the fighting.

More than 20 junta soldiers and two KNLA soldiers were killed and four KNLA soldiers were injured, according to a statement posted by Cobra on social media. There were no details about the captured junta troops.

Previously, on 2 April Major Tin Lin Aung, the deputy battalion commander of junta Battalion 585 and some privates deserted to join the KNLA. They are now fighting alongside the KNLA.

Junta troops have been firing heavy weapons into ward 6 and ward 4 in Lay Kay Kaw’s Myothit from the Swel Taw Gone view point.