At least four junta troops have been killed during four days of fighting in Kayah (Karenni) State over the past week, according to the anti-regime Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF).
The confirmed casualties were all reported in Hpruso Township, where a combined force of KNDF and Karenni Army (KA) fighters clashed with troops from the military’s Light Infantry Battalion 428 and police on Saturday.
However, the fiercest fighting took place near Htulweebilar, a village in Demoso Township, where the KNDF fought regime forces for four days from last Thursday, the group said.
A KNDF spokesperson told Myanmar Now that the junta troops retreated after a two-hour clash that began at around 4pm on Sunday.
“We did some area clearance this morning and found some bandages,” the spokesperson said on Monday, suggesting that the bandages indicated the regime forces suffered several casualties before they were forced to retreat.
“We’re not sure if they died, but it’s safe to assume that at least three or four of their soldiers were severely injured,” he said, adding that one KNDF soldier was also injured.
Htulweebilar is located in the southern part of Demoso Township, where soldiers from Light Infantry Division 66 and Infantry Battalion 447 are stationed.
The KNDF spokesperson speculated that the soldiers were trying to get to Bawlakhe and Hpasaung townships through Htulweebilar.
During the clash in Hpruso on Saturday, at least eight soldiers were wounded, according to a KNDF statement.
The KNDF has been fighting alongside the KA, the armed wing of the Karenni National Progressive Party, as part of a united front fighting the regime in predominantly ethnic Karenni areas of Kayah and Shan states.
Junta information officers were unavailable for comment on reports of the recent regime casualties in Kayah State.
