The Arakha Army (AA) ambushed a Junta column comprising approximately 160 soldiers advancing along the Taungup-Pandaung Road from Pyay town in Bago Region to Taungup town in Rakhine State on June 20, resulting in the deaths of over 60 Junta soldiers, including a captain, according to a reliable source.

“The battle raged fiercely from the afternoon of June 20 until the morning of June 21, near Petlel and Nayputaung villages. AA troops deployed strategic positioning and ambushed the Junta column, causing significant casualties among the regime forces”, the source reported.

The captain who died in the conflict was reportedly from Guta ward in Taungup town, and the source also confirmed that there were also casualties on AA side during the fighting.

"A column of approximately 160 soldiers arrived from Pyay to Taungup. Then Junta forces stationed at the university started firing artillery rounds. The 544th Battalion and Junta troops based in Tatootaung are also involved in artillery barrages. The battle remained intense, exacerbated by Junta's close air support, which has caused casualties on AA side”, the source elaborated.

Junta forces have evicted the rector and teachers from Taungup University, positioned artillery on its campus, and clashed with AA in recent days.

In Taungup township, ongoing conflicts between Junta forces and AA have forced thousands of residents to flee, with civilian casualties reported as Junta forces shell urban areas and residential villages and conduct airstrikes.

On June 18, a fighter jet took off from Magway launched airstrikes near Pantinkhone Pagoda hill and the surrounding village in Pantin sub-township, Taungup township. The bombardment led to bombs hitting the village, resulting in the deaths of three locals, including two women, and causing injuries to many others.