Wale Myiang Township Police Station in Karen State's Myawaddy District, was captured and nine People’s Defence Force (PDF) members being held there were released at 5am on 13 June.

The attack was carried out by the Karen National Defence Organisation (KNDO) Special Defence Battalion and the Sin Phyu Column PDF. The KNDO is the defence militia of the Karen National Union (KNU).

Three police officers were killed, five were captured and nine PDF members being held there were freed, according to an official from the KNDO Special Commando Battalion.

Two of the rescued PDF members, both women, two of the captured police officers and a member of the Sin Phyu Column PDF were injured by junta heavy artillery fire during the fighting.

“The combat only lasted for about half an hour. It was not very difficult and only took a while. We knew that our PDF members were detained in Wale police station. So, we took the time to research before attacking the station to rescue the detained PDF members”, said Saw Win Myint, an officer from the KNDO Special Commando Battalion.

There were 28 police officers manning the police station, many of them fled during the fighting.

Lieutenant Colonel Saw Salone, the Commander of KNDO Special Commando Battalion, said of the five captured police officers: “We still have to ask the five detained policemen whether they are willing to join the fight with us against the Military Council. Junta Soldiers and police officers are welcome to join us.”

A 60mm mortar with 18 rounds of ammunition, six rifles and submachine guns, one revolver 710 rounds of 7.76mm ammunition and 36 rounds of 9mm ammunition were among the items seized from the police station.