Kant Kaw Ni Ni, Narinjara News, 22 June 2024

Over 70 military junta soldiers, including two captains, were killed in thefive-day Taungup conflict that began in the third week of June, said a militarysource. The victim captains are Aung Zaw Tun and Kyaw Min Thu from the 544thlight infantry battalion.

"Casualties among the junta soldiers may rise asthe fighting continues. The Arakan Army (AA) fighters appear to hold thetactical and combat positions successfully. If the AA fighters intensify theiroffensive, the junta soldiers in Taungup may have to face defeat,” added thesource.

Captain Aung Zaw Tun and several soldiers were killedin Chaung Kauk ward under  Taungup town on the night of 15 June. Manyother soldiers sustained injuries in the skirmish.

On the other hand, captain Kyaw Min Thu along withover  60 soldiers were killed in a skirmish near Nay Pu Taung under thesame township on 20 June. Kyaw Min Thu reportedly hailed from Guta ward and wasa resident near Guta school. His father is identified as Sayar U Tun Wai.

As the AA fighters intercepted the junta column consisting  of 200reinforcements from Bago region and thus the junta soldiers became victims.

From 15 to  22 June (during the Taungup battle)four civilians were killed and four others were injured by the airstrikescarried out by junta soldiers.