A combined force of multiple People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) killed 15 Burma army soldiers during three days of clashes in Sagaing Region, according to a source from the National Unity Government’s (NUG) Military Region No-1.
The clashes took place in the area of Sakant, Kan Gyi and Kan Tha villages in Kalay District. Four resistance fighters were killed during the clashes.
Between 21 and 23 February, troops from the Kalay PDF, Special Force, Urban Guerilla Unit, VAKOK PDF, CNDF TZ Vapual, RKDF, CDF KKG (Kalay, Kabaw, Gangaw), HNB, GRF, S2UG, EFDF, TCDF and CDF-CDM Siyin attacked multiple Burma army military camps in the three Kalay District villages.
The Burma army attacked multiple villages with artillery, including Kan Gyi, Kan Tha, Doh Weing Chaung, Sakant and Lay Ein Su villages and Myo Hla ward.
The resistance groups seized the three Burma army camps during the clashes. These military camps were operating under the Kalay Regional Operation Command. Resistance groups said that the 15 dead Burma army soldiers include a captain, and that at least 10 more soldiers were injured during the clashes.
Resistance groups said they captured armaments from the Burma army during the clashes including 10 rifles, a RPG-7, a 60-mm mortar, nine grenades, 388 7.62 bullets, 641 5.56 bullets, 4 magazines and other military equipment.
Salai William Chin, General Secretary of the Chin National Organization/Chin National Defense Force (CNO/CNDF), said that four CNDF soldiers including a vice chief of staff were killed during the recent clashes in Kalay.
Salai William Chin said that Comrade Salai Mang Pu was killed during the clash in Sakant village on 22 February, and Salai David New (aka) Joshua, comrade Shwe Num Keim (aka) A Nge and comrade Amos Van Nik Lian were killed during the clash near Hman Taw village on 23 February.
“We feel so sad for the loss of our Vice Chief of Staff and our comrades in battle. It’s a huge loss for CNO/CNDF and their families. We will continue to fight against the military dictatorship,” Salai William Chin told Khonumthung News.
The chance of additional fighting remains high in both northern and southern Kalay Township, and resistance groups suggest that local people not travel in these areas at the moment.