The Tatmadaw torched four buildings and arrested three villagers in Sagaing Region as part of an offensive strategy it’s pursuing in neighboring Chin State to weaken civilian resistance forces that have killed many soldiers during fighting in recent months.
The Burma Army (BA) attacked Thayar Kon village near the Technical University near Kalay on the morning of 8 October.
A woman who fled to town with other villagers after the attack told Khonumthung News that her friend was arrested, but she wasn’t sure about the other two people.
“We took refuge at my relative’s home in Kalay. All our belongings are still at our house in Thayar Kon,” she said.
The woman said the BA burnt down a motorcycle repair shop and stole two motorbikes. The soldiers also torched the house of the owner of the rice mill in Thayar Kon, an outdoor toilet and two houses for the workers who work at the mill.
Last month, BA announced a major offensive in all nine townships in Chin State.
According to locals, a total of 55 military vehicles and two tanks arrived in Falam Township on 8 October. They’re stationed at the Loum Ban High School compound.
BA offenses and fighting with the allied Chin National Force and Chinland Defence Forces has displaced many civilians since May. Some have taken refuge in the Indian state of Mizoram.