KARENNI STATE – Ms. Shun Lei, an official of BPDF (Bawlakhe People’s Defence Force) stated that the junta council has seriously increased the security in Loikaw downtown, Karenni State and the phone lines have continuously been disconnected.
Moreover, the junta council has been patrolling around the town by using vigorous tanks and armoured vehicles to show off their strength.
“Currently, the junta forces blockaded the entrance roads into downtown. We could not contact the comrades downtown to know the current situation since there is no phone network. Though the junta owned Mytel network is still available, even it is sometimes disconnected. The junta thugs have also been patrolling in tanks to show off their strength,” Ms. Shun Lei said.
“Tanks and armoured vehicles kept patrolling. Mostly, armoured vehicles are used in patrolling. I think they might be trying to cover up something. They used to patrol with just a group of five junta thugs normally. Now, they have been patrolling in vehicles. They interrogate immediately if they find someone suspicious. They patrol with five armoured vehicles four times a day at 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. As there are two routes, there are 10 vehicles in total,” a local elaborated how junta forces have been patrolling by using tanks and armoured vehicles in Loikaw Town for around five days.
Though People’s Defence Forces have been monitoring the junta’s abnormal military operation, the exact situation could not be verified since the junta council has disconnected the phone lines and also hacked the walkie talkie lines.
As Loikaw is located at the middle of Demoso, Hpruso, Mobye, Pekon and Pin Laung regions where there are intense battles, it could be assumed that the junta is turning the town into its stronghold to reinforce the Karenni State, according to the conclusion of military operation analysts.
One of the locals stated that the residents are worried about the town being used as the junta’s military stronghold since the junta regime troops have marched into Loikaw Town with vigorous assault vehicles such as tanks and armoured vehicles.
Furthermore, one of the officials of Loikaw People’s Defence Force concluded that the junta council could transform into irruption from internal military tactic since many junta casualties have occurred in Karenni State which could threaten Nay Pyi Taw directly in military operation.