Tatmadaw regains control of villages along key transport routes

 

Coalition armed insurgents operating under the banner of the PDF, described as proxies of the terrorist groups NUG and CRPH, have temporarily taken control of towns and villages in certain regions and states to disrupt government administrative machinery and carry out various destructive acts for their own interests. In response, Tatmadaw columns have been conducting counter-terrorism operations.

Seeking to advance their own interests, coalition PDF terrorists temporarily seized certain towns, villages and areas, carrying out acts of terrorism and blocking vital transport links essential for regional development. They established defensive bases along public transport routes, extorted transit fees from travellers, arbitrarily detained and tortured civilians, and killed those who refused to comply. Consequently, local communities faced severe disruptions to transport and the movement of goods, resulting in acute shortages of food and essential household items, interruptions in the supply of medicines and emergency medical supplies, and shortages of raw materials for local businesses. Finished goods were also unable to reach markets. As a result, the daily socioeconomic lives of local ethnic communities deteriorated sharply, and residents suffered greatly from the abuses committed by the insurgents.

To address the situation, Tatmadaw columns made sustained efforts to reopen vital transport routes temporarily controlled by the terrorists. They gradually regained control of towns, villages and road networks one after another, fully securing and reopening the Mandalay-Madaya-Thabeikkyin-Tagaung-Htigyaing-Katha-Indaw-Mawlu-Nantsiaung-Mohnyin-Mogaung–Myitkyina route on 6 May 2026. This enabled the swift and smooth movement of goods and trade within the region and supported the recovery and revitalization of public services, including education and healthcare.

To eliminate insurgent outposts along the Indaw-Wuntho-Kawlin and Indaw-Maugon-Kyauktan routes, which were reportedly used to intimidate and extort travellers, Tatmadaw columns systematically organized and deployed coordinated forces from Indaw town to conduct phased area security operations. During these successive operations, troops recaptured Lenaung and Kanni villages on 5 October, followed by Pintthachay, Meza, Lezin and Nantthe villages on 9 October. Operations continued with the capture of a terrorist camp near Kyauktaw village and Kyeinchaung village on 12 October, Pein-inn village on 13 October, Hsingon village on 14 October, and Nyaungkaing and Htantabin villages on 16 October. Finally, on 18 October, security forces successfully retook and secured Namkham, Lepyin and Maugon villages.

Tatmadaw personnel fought tenaciously to reclaim these settlements along the transport corridors. During a total of 32 major and minor armed clashes with the terrorists, troops recovered 18 bodies of enemy fighters, along with 19 assorted firearms, ammunition and other military equipment.

During their temporary control of the area, coalition terrorists dug communication trenches throughout the villages and fortified residential compounds and fences with bunkers to mount determined defensive operations and carry out various destructive acts. They also blocked transport corridors, extorted money from passing passenger vehicles and cargo trucks, tortured and killed civilians, and forcibly recruited residents into their ranks. These actions severely disrupted the movement of goods, drove up commodity prices and impoverished the population, affecting all aspects of daily life.

Consequently, Tatmadaw columns are working closely with local communities to carry out essential rehabilitation work and restore public healthcare and education services to revitalize socioeconomic life. Security operations are continuing with increased momentum.

100/ST

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