Military column attacked in Mahlaing, then retreated

YT (July 4) It has been reported that a military column advancing in Mahlaing Township, Mandalay Region, was attacked and subsequently retreated along the same route. On July 2, resistance forces jointly attacked a military column that was advancing towards the village of Aigyataw in Mahlaing Township. The ensuing battle resulted in the deaths of two soldiers from the military column and the surrender of ten others. Furthermore, more than 30 individuals were reported to have sustained injuries, according to a source. The military column advancing towards Aigyataw village consisted of approximately 110 soldiers and was led by Deputy Police Commissioner Zaw Win Htain from Police Battalion (8), Company (1). Following the attack, the column did not proceed further and retreated, as confirmed through inquiries made on July 4. However, their exact current location remains unknown. A responsible person from the Guardians of Mahlaing group stated this morning, "The enemy's columns in the township are not stationed permanently but are on the move. The column towards Aigyataw retreated due to heavy casualties. Since they are not stationed anywhere, it is difficult to say precisely where they are." The attack was a joint operation by units under the command of the Mandalay Region Military Command and the Myingyan District Military Command, including battalions under the Myingyan District Military Command, No. (2) Battalion of the Meiktila District, the Myingyan District People's Defence Force (PDF), the Nyaungshwe Township PDF, and the Mahlaing Township PDF and TTA guerrilla forces. It was reported that a significant amount of weapons and ammunition belonging to the military column was seized during the battle on July 2. The responsible person from the Guardians of Mahlaing group added, "After the battle with the column, there were about six airstrikes in the border area between Mahlaing and Nyaungshwe townships. It is understood that they fell in villages within Nyaungshwe Township." During the battle, the military column received air support from two Mi-35 helicopters. After the battle, on the evening of July 2, two gyroplanes provided support, and later, around 6:30 PM and past 10 PM, jet fighters conducted airstrikes in the vicinity of Opon Taw village in Nyaungshwe Township, where no fighting was occurring. These airstrikes resulted in the deaths of four civilians and injuries to others.