NarinjaraNews, February 4, 2023

One helicopter of the Military Council was shot down duringa battle that took place on the afternoon of February 3 near the newtown of Shwe Pyi Aye, Homalin Township, SagaingDivision, according to the National Unity Government (NUG).

In the area, there was an exchange of fire between theMilitary Council forces and the People’s Defense Force and allies.At 3:45 p.m., the helicopter was shot down. It appears to be first time that resistance forces have downed anymilitary aircraft.

“Fightinghas been going on since around noon. Seeing the Military Council’s helicopter hovering,it was shot it down in a joint operation with allied resistance forces. We are satisfied with the success. But we aresaddened by the loss of our comrades,”  said a member of the People’s Defense Forces.

People’sDefense Force (PDF) Khanti District Battalion (1) - Homalin, HPDF - 124, HPDF, HPDF Moe Gyo, People’s Defense Forces (PDF) andallied forces managed to crash thehelicopter.

Sagaing in central Myanmar has seen heavy fighting, withscorched earth tactics used by theMyanmar junta forces.PDFs are typically too poorly equipped to be able to shoot down helicopters or fighter aircraft.It is not known exactly how they were to down the helicopter.

Janes Magazine Defence analyst Tony Davis who frequentlypublishes stories on the Myanmarwar, cautions that “if the helicopter really was shot down, it could onlyhappen when it was hovering totake off or land based on PDF ‘s modest access to small arms.”

He also noted that “ last year a PDF claim of destroyingaircraft at Magway airport provedto be unfounded.” The NUG statement reported the helicopter was indeed hovering when it was brought down.

NUG also reported 2 members of People’s Defense Force were killed in thefighting, and 20 Pyu Saw Hteemembers and soldiers under the Military Council were killed. The People’ s Defense Army (PDF) Khanti DistrictBattalion (1) and allied forces were involvedin the attack.