Three resistance force fighters from the Zarmani People’s Defense Force (PDF) were arrested and then killed by Myanmar junta troops who raided their camp in Sagaing Region’s Budalin Township, on 5 June.

Three columns consisting of 120 junta soldiers raided the camp at 3:00 p.m. They stole equipment worth over 100 million kyats before setting fire to the camp. Amongst the seized equipment were six motorcycles, 60 mm, 120 mm, and 150 mm mortars and grenades, magazines, gunpowder, and food rations.

Bo Oo, the leader of the Zarmani PDF said: “We retreated because we had insufficient manpower and ammunition to fight back against the junta troops. Our three comrades were arrested and weapons-producing materials and other military materials in the camp were burned and destroyed. I’m not sure how they knew where the camp was.”

The three PDF fighters who were killed by the junta were named as Naing Oo (age 29), Kyaw Zin Myo (age 19), and Hmine Gyi (age 34). All were involved in weapon production.

As of 6 June, defence force fighters had been unable to return to the camp to inspect the damage because they feared that there might be junta troops hiding near the camp waiting to ambush any defence force fighters who go there.

Bo Oo said that, following the losses, Zarmani PDF will have a hard time sustaining itself and he urged the public to provide them with as much support as possible.