Photo: No. 1 Military Region of the Ministry of Defense under the National Unity Government (NUG)
Mizzima
Resistance forces in Sagaing attacked a Myanmar junta convoy killing 20 soldiers, including new recruits, and capturing 49 alive, reports the No. 1 Military Region of the Ministry of Defense under the National Unity Government (NUG) on 14 April.
The attack happened at about 2 pm near Kamphyu village in Ayadaw Township in the Sagaing region.
On 12 April, a convoy comprising of five twelve-wheel vehicles, a military vehicle, 250 new recruits, and junta soldiers from the Military Council’s Supply and Transport company (929) of the Northwest Military Command in Monywa Town were en route to the No. (10) training Depot in Ayadaw Township through Monywa.
During the assault by local People’s Defence Forces (PDF), three twelve-wheel vehicles belonging to the Military Council were damaged, resulting in approximately 20 recruits, including a captain, being killed and 15 injured and No. 1 Military Region confirmed the capture of 49 individuals.
“Avoiding harm to civilians, some of whom ran in front of us during the attack, was a priority. The remaining soldiers fled in the remaining vehicles,” said a member of the PDF involved in the operation.
The No. 1 Military Region reported the seizure of seven small arms and 5,500 assorted ammunition, including 80 types of bombs, 10 RPG-7 rockets, and other military equipment.
The attack was carried out by various groups including Monywa District Battalion 6, 19, and 24, Monywa District Commando Force, Monywa District Armed Force, Ayadaw Township PDF, Ayadaw local resistance force, Meikhtila District Battalion-2, Danger Force LPDF, Black Panther LPDF, and the Special Revolution Force LPDF.
The attack came at a time when the Myanmar junta is stepping up its mandatory military conscription programme, originally announced on 10 February. Originally, the junta claimed the conscription would begin after the Thingyan water festival period.
But even before this announcement, on 29 March, recruits who had been enlisted were observed being sent for military training, as reported by family members of the victims. The junta has yet to disclose the precise number of trainees participating in training.
