Around 10 Myanmar junta troops were killed and 26 others, including a captain, were injured during the clashes in Launglon Township, Tanintharyi Region, on July 22, according to resistance forces.
A clash broke out near Maung Mae Shaung village in Dawei Township on July 22 when around 150 troops traveled to villages between Dawei and Launglon. Three resistance fighters from the Ba Htoo Column were killed and one injured during a 20-minute clash.
The junta troops triggered a series of mines between Kha Maung Taung and Taung Min Pyaung villages in Launglon Township. Ten soldiers were killed and at least 20 were injured in mine blasts, according to the Dawei Guerrilla Revolutionary Force, which is allied to the Ba Htoo Column.
“There is only one way in and out, so it’s like a minefield. They triggered many mines,” a Dawei Guerrilla representative told The Irrawaddy.
The troops then raided Taung Min Pyaung village and torched three houses.
They were attacked by drone bombs and improvised grenade launchers while they were raiding Phwar Boat Pyin village in the afternoon. A captain and five regime soldiers were injured during the 30-minute clash.
Some village homes were destroyed by regime shelling and two residents were injured.
“A captain and other soldiers were hit by a drone bomb at the village school. The captain was seriously injured in the face,” the Dawei Guerrilla representative said.
Thousands of villagers fled their houses for a week during the clashes but are currently returning to their villages, he added.
On Thursday, the Dawei Guerrilla attacked a military vehicle near Maung Mae Shaung village in Dawei Township, leaving five soldiers dead and many injured. Around 50 civilians from Maung Mae Shaung village were detained by soldiers after the clash, according to the Dawei Guerrilla.
The villagers were released in the evening, except four Dewei Technological University students, the resistance group said.
The whereabouts of the four students are unknown.
Tanintharyi Region is becoming an increasingly solid resistance stronghold after around two years of fighting.
