NUG expresses condolences to PDF members who fell in Chauk Township

YT (July 12) The Ministry of Defence (MOD) of the National Unity Government (NUG) has issued a statement expressing condolences to the People's Defence Force (PDF) members who lost their lives in a battle that took place in Chauk Township, Magway Region. Twenty members from Magway District Column (1), Magway District Column (3), and Magway District People's Defence Committee were killed in the battle that occurred on July 10, when they attacked a column of police commando troops of the military junta that was advancing near Taungtha village in Chauk Township. A statement, accompanied by an image of 20 white stars, was released today (July 12) to express condolences to these fallen heroes. "Looking at everyone, it's a situation where the military cornered everyone and then surrounded them with superior force and annihilated them. Even from the video record, it's a situation that constitutes a war crime, where injured revolutionary soldiers were shot at close range, drones observed and recorded them, and then a military officer, a major or lieutenant colonel, gave close-range orders," said CDM Major Zin Yaw. CDM Major Zin Yaw analyzed that the reason for the casualties in the battle where these comrades fell was due to the revolutionary forces' insufficient ground military intelligence, weak coordination, and falling into the military junta's tactical trap. "If we are to draw lessons, it is that the revolutionary forces have weak ground intelligence. They fell into the military's planned operation. In other words, it's a situation where they danced to the enemy's tune. Although the revolutionary forces bravely resisted superior force, it must be said that they were weak in terms of tactics and battlefield discipline. I am not blaming the fallen comrades. According to the photographic records, although many wore uniforms, depending on the terrain, only one or two wore footwear, specifically combat boots. These areas have palm trees and other vegetation, so footwear should have been worn. Therefore, it should be clearly communicated to future revolutionary forces that they were not in a state of readiness for battle. This is a lesson learned from what has already happened," CDM Major Zin Yaw analyzed. "This column did not arrive suddenly and secretly. Since around the 7th, the military had entered schools in and around Taungtha and was deploying troops. Therefore, the local revolutionary forces needed to obtain comprehensive information about the strength of this column. Information needs to be built. Even if this is considered a mistake between units, it can be seen as a lack of military awareness, military vigilance, security awareness, and coordination with neighboring units. Therefore, rather than information leaking, it was being swept along by the enemy's counter-information. As mentioned earlier, it is a situation where they danced to the enemy's tune. Also, the revolutionary forces were in a state of victory. They had attacked and captured bases in the direction of Gwaypin and Gwaycho in June, so there was an element of underestimating the enemy, thinking of them as weak," he continued. The bodies of the revolutionary comrades who fell in the battle, as well as the seized weapons, are being widely reported on the propaganda Telegram channels of the military junta. Regarding the fall of 20 PDF members in Chauk Township, revolutionary forces, comrades, and officials from various regions within Myanmar have issued statements of condolence. Editor – Thant Zaw (Thanlyin)