12 fully armed junta soldiers flee from Taungup

 On 27 January, a dozen junta soldiers stationed in Taungup of  Rakhine State fled while they were fully armed.

The 12 fleeing soldiers include five from the former multi-department checkpoint near Taungup University and seven from the checkpoint near the entrance of 346th light infantry battalion based in Phone Nyo village.

A Taungup resident said that  since the morning hours of Saturday they  received news that all these soldiers fled.

“We are aware of the fact that  five soldiers from the checkpoint near Taungup University and seven soldiers from the Phone Nyo checkpoint have fled," he added.

Upon verification with  the individuals closely connected to the military community the news was found correct.

"We received the news that the soldiers were escaping. After cross-checking the information it’s found that the news of the soldier's fleeing turned true. We believe that they have joined the AA," he asserted.

Another resident informed  that the soldiers fled with their weapons in the early morning of 27 January.

Narinjara News can confirm the soldier’s fleeing, but yet to find their names with ranks.

On the particular day, checkpoints were completely closed to  the public. In some wards the overnight guest-lists were checked by the security personnel on duty.

Currently, the junta forces are conducting patrols in the Taungup urban areas. The residents informed that they witnessed daily ambush activities at the town jetties.

On 30 January after 5 pm, Ma-Ei Myoma police station in Taungup locality was attacked by the Arakan Army fighters using artillery shells, which led to a brief exchange of fire between the two parties, added the residents.

Photo: Wilson Center