Thirty junta soldiers and Pyu Saw Htee militia were killed in a recent sudden attack by local defense forces in Htilin Township in Magway.

A spokesman of the Yaw Defense Force (Htilin) confirmed to Mizzima that the joint defence force intercepted the Military Council column that was launching an offensive in Htilin Township, killing at least 30 members.

On 27 October at around 7:30 in the morning, the local joint defence forces attacked the Military Council column after about 120 soldiers set fire to Htan Pin Gone village, which is located about four miles north of Htilin.

"While they (junta) were crossing the creek near Htan Pin Gone village, we attacked the junta from a distance of about 150 feet. Many junta soldiers died and were washed away in the creek as a result of our attack,” said a Yaw Defense Force spokesperson.

The fighting continued for almost an hour, and junta forces stationed on the town of Htilin assisted with the discharge of heavy artillery.

According to the PDFs, the column that was attacked by the joint defense forces was the 50th Battalion of military unit and a Pyu Saw Htee joint column.

During the battle, one soldier from the YDF battalion (14) went missing and some soldiers were injured, according to the YDF.

"This morning (October 28) when we entered the village to carry out the clearance operation in the area, we found some bodies of the Military Council soldiers near the creek,” the spokesman said.

At present, the 50th Battalion and the Pyu Saw htee joint column have returned to Htilin township .

The junta forces entered the villages in Magway region about a month ago. Seven villages were set on fire, including Htan Pin Gone Village. In addition, four local civilians in the western village were forced into their houses and burned to death, according to an official of the YDF.

The attack was carried out by the YDF (Htilin), YDF Battalion (14), Kyauklonegyi Battalion (5), PDF Htilin 7th company of 2nd Battalion, and Western Command’s 707th Battalion.