MANDALAY DIVISION – In Pyin Oo Lwin Town, starting from April 20 night and continuing until the next morning, the military junta’s heavy artillery firing has caused the entire town to tremble, as reported by the residents.
Starting after 11 p.m., the military junta stationed inside the Defense Services Technological Academy (DSTA) and those stationed at the monastery in Nyaung Kone Village have been continuously firing heavy artillery towards Thayet Kone Village. Due to the artillery fire, the entire town of Pyin Oo Lwin has been trembling.
“The firing started on April 20 night with even more rounds fired the next morning. Around 5 a.m., they started firing heavily. They are firing from Nyaung Kone (Village) and from DSTA. Their main target is Thayet Kone Village. Every time they fire the heavy artillery, even the houses tremble. This morning (April 21) alone, the houses shook about 15 times,” explained a local resident.
The military junta is currently targeting and shooting at the village of Thayet Kone Village, located at the border of Pyin Oo Lwin and Nawnghkio Townships. A battle there on April 15 resulted in the death of 21 military junta personnel and the seizure of a large cache of weapons. During that fight, the military junta faced additional resistance from two lines of defense set up by the revolutionaries, leading to significant casualties, and consequently, the military junta withdrew, as announced by the People’s Defence Force (Mandalay).
The Thayet Kone Village base, occupied by revolutionary forces, is very close to Pyin Oo Lwin and at any time could be accessed by revolutionary groups, which concerns the military junta. As a result, including units like DSA and DSTA, the military is reportedly strengthening its defenses within their bases, as mentioned by a military junta source.
“Reinforcements and fortifications, such as laying of mines and defensive setups around Pyin Oo Lwin, are being enhanced to prepare for any offensive attacks. Additional bunkers and fortifications are also being constructed,” explained a military junta source from Pyin Oo Lwin.