TATMADAW columns have captured 11 bases belonging to a combined group of armed terrorists, including the KNU, KNLA, CRPH, NUG and their subordinate PDF groups, during counter-terrorism operations in Kyaikto Township, Mon State, and neighbouring Shwegyin Township, Bago Region.
The terrorist groups had established bases in rugged, mountainous areas along the Theinzayat-Kyaikto route and the Mon State-Bago Region border. They reportedly used proceeds from various illegal activities to manufacture homemade mortars, firearms, ammunition and explosives for their operations. They also established temporary bases in and around villages and intimidated residents.
During their presence in the area, the armed groups allegedly built sandbag bunkers at civilian homes, religious buildings and schools, extorted money, forcibly recruited new members and accused local communities, Buddhist monks and civil servants from villages that did not support them of being informants, or ‘Dalan’. Those accused were subsequently arrested, tortured and killed.
They also extorted money from freight trucks and passenger vehicles carrying local goods, planted landmines along transport routes, destroyed roads and bridges, and arbitrarily arrested and killed travellers, seriously disrupting the socioeconomic lives of local communities.
In collaboration with the KNU and KNLA, the NUG and CRPH had established a so-called Special Military Region Headquarters northeast of Theinzayat in Kyaikto Township, extending into Shwegyin Township, Bago Region, to direct their armed activities. Following information provided by local residents, Tatmadaw columns made preparations in Theinzayat to launch counter-terrorism operations. Area security operations began on 3 November, with military columns advancing in separate groups.
On 5 November, the columns captured a temporary base near Kawkat village, northeast of Theinzayat. Another base near Kawhteehta village was seized on 6 November. On 7 November, four additional bases, including the KNU/ KNLA Brigade 1, Battalion 3 headquarters, were captured near Kawhteehta village.
Continuing operations around the clock, Tatmadaw columns captured five more bases on 8 November, including the NUG-CRPH Special Military Headquarters, near Hteeklar Stream and Point 480 Hill in Shwegyin Township, northeast of Theinzayat.
Four armed clashes occurred during the operations, in which a total of 11 bases belonging to the KNU/KNLA and the NUG-CRPH Special Military Headquarters were captured. Seized items included 97 assorted small arms and weapons, 12,285 rounds of ammunition, 362 drop bombs, 139 assorted mines, two four-wheeldrive vehicles, drones, hand grenades, mortar and artillery bombs, detonators and communication equipment.
Other recovered items included foxholes, bunkers, accommodation huts, equipment used in explosive attacks, food supplies, computers and other office materials, camouflage uniforms, bulletproof vests, helmets, medicines, medical supplies and various other materials.
The terrorist groups reportedly suffered heavy casualties and losses, with their members fleeing the area in disarray.
The Tatmadaw stated that counter-terrorism operations were being conducted in cooperation with responsible local communities to prevent armed groups from establishing bases and carrying out unlawful activities that undermine national peace, stability and regional development. Further area security operations will continue at an accelerated pace to prevent the groups from regrouping in the Theinzayat-Kyaikto area.
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