The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and its political wing, the Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF), have announced the successful capture of Namhsan town, which had been traditionally governed by the Ta'ang Chao Pha (Sawbwa) ethnic rulers, after 64 years of military dictatorship.
All bases and outposts belonging to the Junta’s 101st Division operating within military region of the 2nd Brigade in Ta'ang State, were successfully captured by the evening of December 15th.
The TNLA proudly declared the liberation of Namhsan from 64 years of military dictatorship, at 3:30 PM on December 15th. The subsequent day, December 16th, marked the New Year's Day of 2715 in the Ta'ang calendar, when the town was officially returned to its rightful owners, the Ta'ang people, TNLA stated.
Historically governed by the Ta'ang Chao Phas, Namhsan, a self-governing Taung Paing State, witnessed the overthrow of its ruler on March 2nd, 1959, during the reign of Chao Pha Sao Hkun Pan Sein.
On December 10th, the TNLA launched its offensive to seize Namhsan as a strategic move within 'Operation 1027'. By the evening of December 15th, TNLA had successfully gained control over all administrative departments of the Military Council, encompassing outposts, the fortified camp at the Junta-operated dried tea factory, and the police station.
TNLA declared that in the Namhsan battle, they captured 4 howitzer guns along with assorted weapons, mines, ammunition, and military equipment from the Military Council.
In addition over 60 enemy bodies were discovered. The statement also disclosed that 30 Military Council troops and 3 family members, 6 policemen and 25 family members were detained, bringing the total number of prisoners of war to 64.
Amidst intense clashes, the Military Council's 130th Infantry Battalion based in Manton deployed artillery extensively. Also the Junta’s Air Force executed an airstrike with a Mi-35 helicopter, and bombs were dropped five times from an ATR-42 aircraft.19 air raids using jet fighters and launched five attacks with Y-12 aircraft were also deployed in an attempt to halt TNLA's offensive but all in vain.
During the fighting, the Military Council indiscriminately bombarded civilian areas in Namhsan, resulting in the tragic loss of lives for three residents.
Furthermore religious structures, including Padamya (Ruby) Pagoda and Namhsan Church, suffered damage from shrapnel resulting from bombing. Additionally, over 40 houses and buildings at the primary school in Ngunhseng village were impacted, with 14 houses reduced to ashes.
