Tatmadaw Beefs Up Security to Reopen Kalay-Tamu Route

 

Tatmadaw continues efforts not only to fulfil national defence and security duties but also to cooperate with the government and local people in regional development activities to ensure peace and stability and improve the socioeconomic status of the people. As part of these efforts, Tatmadaw columns tried to regain control of and reopen the Kalay-Tamu route, an important trade corridor between Myanmar and India.

The Kalay-Tamu way is a vital land transportation route linking northwestern Myanmar with India. In addition to serving regional transportation needs, the route plays an important role in border trade, socio-economic development and international connectivity. Consumer goods, food supplies and other commodities are transported through the route, supporting the daily livelihoods of residents. The route also contributes to travel, healthcare and educational services in the region.

The combined PDF terrorist groups temporarily controlled and blocked the Kalay-Tamu road starting in 2024, and carried out acts of violence, including extorting tolls from cargo and passenger vehicles, threatening travellers with weapons, arresting and killing civilians, burning and destroying vehicles, and looting goods. Therefore, travellers and cargo trucks no longer dared to use the route, causing delays in transport, a decline in border trade, shortages of food and consumer goods, and rising commodity prices in the region. Moreover, travel restrictions and blockades imposed by the armed groups disrupted access to healthcare and education for residents and students, contributing to worsening socioeconomic conditions in the area.

Therefore, in order to reopen and fully regain control of the Kalay-Tamu link, Tatmadaw columns began coordinated area clearance operations from both Kalay and Tamu on 7 June 2026. The Tatmadaw columns advancing from Tamu have reached areas near Yanlinphaing village, while the column advancing from Kalay has arrived near 56-Mile village. Operations are continuing to fully regain control of the Kalay-Tamu route, and the route is expected to be reopened soon.

During the operations along the route, Tatmadaw columns discovered damaged roads and bridges, including the Nanmut Tar Bridge and the 55-Mile Bridge, which had been destroyed by the terrorist groups. They also found that within villages along the route, houses, religious buildings and departmental offices had been fortified with trenches and sandbag bunkers and used as military bases.

Tatmadaw columns will continue Counter-Terrorism Operation and mine clearance operations, and reconstruction work on damaged roads and bridges along the corridor will also be carried out.

MNA/KTZH

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