Locals report that Junta troops from the 261st Infantry Battalion stationed in Nwarlawoe village in Loikaw Township, Karenni State, have departed their base and engaged in military operations near Yaekan village since May 14.
"The 261st Battalion left its base and moved towards Yaekan village in the west, accompanied by two cannon-mounted vehicles, with an estimated strength ranging from 60 to 100 troops”, Marwi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) told Kantarawaddy Times. He also cautioned residents in adjacent villages to stay alert in response to the uncommon military movements of the Junta troops.
The KNDF officer remarked that the 261st Battalion could be gearing up to welcome a Junta column attempting to advance towards Loikaw from the border of Shan State and Karenni State.
Colonel Phone Naing, the Adjutant General of the Karenni Army (KA), expressed his belief that these Junta troops departing from their bases, also have the objective of reclaiming territories lost to the resistance. He noted that resistance forces are already taking preparations to address the situation.
Following 'Operation 1111', where the resistance forces expanded control over additional areas in Karenni State, Junta troops refrained from venturing beyond their bases, remaining confined within, hence the recent activities of the 261st Battalion can be deemed as an unusual occurrence.
"It seems like the 261st Battalion is deploying all their remaining troops for operations outside the base. They might be targeting the Industrial Zone and Narnattaw areas close to Loikaw for recapture”, he remarked.
Kantarawaddy Times has received information that the Junta launched attacks on specific areas of Loikaw, utilizing some kind of toxic gas in bombs dropped from drones, with reports of residents around the Industrial Zone being harmed as a result.
Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the KNDF added, "In the vicinity of the base, there are locals involved in hillside farming and since Junta troops are already on the move outside,I want to urge locals to keep updated on the battle news. They should listen for the sound of the aircraft to minimize avoidable casualties.”
Locals have noted that Junta troops seldom venture beyond their confined bases, and on the rare occasions they do, they typically don civilian attire.
