Tatmadaw, Security Forces wipe out KIA, PDFs in Kawlin of Sagaing, conduct mine clearing, rehabilitation tasks

The KIA and PDF terrorists launched the attack in Kawlin Township of Sagaing Region on 3 November 2023 with the use of excessive power. They opened fire on the security unit and police station. Also, they killed the locals, asked for money, launched arson attacks on departmental buildings, planted mines to undermine the government administrative mechanism and also destroyed and broke into the houses.
Kawlin Township is the main point for communication from south to north of the Sagaing Region. It is a proper location to control the illegal gold mining and oil exploring blocks near Thaphanseik dam. Therefore, they launched the attack with the use of excessive power.
When the local Tatmadaw base and a column conducted a counterattack, they had to send reinforcement to Htigyaing at the same time not to fall into the terrorists, and Tatmadaw and the Police Force blocked Kawlin Township with appropriate power.
At the same time, the youths and middle-aged men from Kawlin Township cooperated with the Security Forces and asked for help to conduct security measures in the township and villages. Therefore, the security units were organized, and Tatmadaw provided necessary things from the fourth week of December 2023 to the third week of January 2024.
Tatmadaw columns then marched to Kanbalu on 27 January to conduct a Counter-Terrorism Operation against KIA and PDF terrorists in Kawlin and its vicinity areas. Then, Tatmadaw columns systematically conducted operations, and there were 18 armed engagements with the terrorists. Afterwards, Tatmadaw fully controlled Kawlin yesterday.
Terrorists conducted destructive actions in Kawlin Township, and so the Security Forces had to follow the Rules of Engagement-ROE.
During the systematic counterattack of Security Forces, the terrorists retreated after torching the houses and departmental buildings and planting bombs.
Some Security Forces members faced casualties in the clashes, and the dead bodies of terrorists and their arms and amunition were seized.
The Security Forces systematically conduct mine clearance operations in respective locations for the public.
The Security Forces removed the debris after the terrorist attacks and detected the mines for the Kawlin residents to be able to return to their places, and also arranged to conduct rehabilitation plans together with the locals. — MNA/KTZH