A total of 14 border police personnel, including a senior officer, surrendered to the Arakan Army (AA) in the battle field  of northern Maungdaw township. The incident took place on the morning hours of 18 July, where the AA members also seized 26 small arms including two pistols and other ammunition.

U Khaing Thukha, the AA spokesperson confirmed the incident. “The battle took place yesterday. The first attack was done by 9 am in a place between Saung Painyar village and Sankar Pinrin of northern Maungdaw township,” he added.

Another confrontation took place at 10.30 am in between Domkula village and Wet Kyein village under the same township. In the battle ground, there was a joint force consisting of military council troops and border guard forces on the Myanmar side.

Khaing Thukha informed that the battle was conducted by AA members in retaliation to two Myanmar military jets those attacked on its base in KNLA Army (5th) area near the Thailand-Karen (Myanmar) border on 4 July. In the bombing attack of Myanmar security forces, six  AA members lost their lives.

“Our AA members were attacked the junta forces on the western border on Monday and it is a retaliation to our 6 brave comrades who were killed on 4 July,” he added. The Burmese forces fired heavy weapons in the many areas yesterday.

In a social media post, written by a pro-military individuals claimed that out of 17 personnel of  Kyin Chaung camp, two were killed. Three soldiers could  escape and the rest were captured by AA members. It also added that 20 border police personnel of Nakkha (7) were killed in the confrontation.