After resistance groups attacked regime forces in Kalay town, the junta responded, as it has done so many times in the past, by indiscriminately killing innocent civilians in the area, said an officer of the Kalay People’s Defence Force (PDF).
In Tar Han Ward, where the military opened fire on 9 January, one person was killed, he told Khonumthung News.
The Kalay PDF ambushed a regime unit that was near Wesley Hospital before the junta attacked the civilians living in the ward.
At least three regime fighters were killed in the morning by landmines planted by the PDF during the surprise attack, dubbed Operation Mo Mo, the officer said.
The two sides then fired at each other before the PDF soldiers could successfully retreat.
Since the PDF formed to fight the dictatorship in Kalay, fighting between it and the military has been frequent in the township.