Two columns of 400 junta soldiers, police officers and members of the Pyu Saw Htee junta-aligned militia were attacked by Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) led defence forces at about 12:00 p.m. on 19 July, according to the NUG MOD statement.

It said that the fighting lasted for about one hour. 33 junta personnel, including army captains were killed on the battlefield and a further 8 died later in hospital, bringing the junta death toll from the fighting to 41. Another 40 junta personnel were injured and are being treated at Taungoo Hospital. One defence force fighter was also killed and another one was injured.

The casualty numbers were confirmed by Comrade Tin Oo, the second-in-command of the NUG’s Military Region No.2 (Bago).