Continuous attacks on military columns in Salin, more than 16 soldiers killed, 1 captured alive; attack on military gate in Min Hla also results in more than 10 soldiers killed

MAGWAY REGION, July 2 – Local resistance forces have continuously attacked invading military columns in Salin Township, Magway Region, during June, killing more than 16 soldiers and capturing one soldier alive, in addition to seizing weapons and ammunition, the resistance forces told Yangon Khit Thit Media. On June 19, when the SAC troops invaded Salin Township, they were ambushed, resulting in the death of one soldier and the capture of another soldier alive. Two guns and some military equipment were also seized during this attack, according to a statement from the People's Defense Force (Salin Township). Furthermore, on June 8, the Salin Township PDF successfully shot down and seized an attack drone belonging to the SAC. The People's Defense Force (Salin) also stated that during the invasion of villages by military columns of over 200 troops to repair power lines connected to KPC-21 in Salin Township, they committed looting of civilian property and the murder of a woman. Similarly, on June 6, when a military column that had arrived in Magyisen village to repair power lines connected to KPC-21 from the Min Hla (EPC) office in Salin Township was ambushed, two officers and four soldiers were killed and severely injured on the military side, according to the Minbu District No. 1 Battalion. On June 11, when the military column temporarily stationed in Kan Swel village and Magyisen village was attacked again, three soldiers were killed and nine were injured, and one military vehicle was damaged. Later, on June 20, when a military column repairing power lines near North San Kalay village was attacked, three soldiers were killed and seven were injured. During the nearly one-month period that the military column was repairing the power lines connected to KPC-21, frequent clashes occurred with the Minbu District No. 1 Battalion, and seven soldiers were killed and ten were severely injured due to landmine attacks. A responsible official from the Minbu District No. 1 Battalion told Yangon Khit Thit Media, "The total death toll for the military dogs was 15. We are still investigating whether there are any additional casualties. Seven soldiers who died from landmines during the period the column was present are also included." These operations were jointly carried out by the Minbu District No. 2 Battalion, the Minbu District People's Security Department, the Salin Township PDF, the Dassa Ni Non Yaung Guerrilla Force, and Magway Region Drone Support Force No. 1808, and the resistance fighters were able to withdraw without casualties. Similarly, in Min Hla Township, Bago Region, around 3:30 AM on July 1, resistance joint forces attacked the Kwin Pyan Gyi gate camp, where about 30 soldiers were stationed. The battle lasted for more than an hour, and more than 10 soldiers were killed on the military side, according to a responsible official from the Shwe Tan Myay People's Defense Force, who spoke to Yangon Khit Thit Media. The official said, "The battle lasted for over an hour. More than 10 soldiers were killed on the military side, and due to the arrival of a large number of reinforcements later, we had to strategically withdraw." It is known that this operation was jointly carried out by the Thayarwady District People's Defense Force No. 1 Attack Unit (Shwe Tan Myay), the Lapantaung Township People's Defense Force Special Attack Unit, and the Thayarwady District No. 2 Battalion, Company 2.