More than 20 soldiers, including officers from No. 508 Light Infantry Battalion based in Yatsauk, Taunggyi County, Shan State, reportedly fled with weapons and ammunition on Dec. 29 last year.
“We heard that they ran away because they didn’t want to go to the front line. Right now, married soldiers and their family members are not allowed to go outside. There have been cases where whole families have run away. Twenty-four soldiers fled. Among them are officers,” a man close to the Ba Htoo military base told the Shan Herald.
Currently, high-ranking officers of the junta army have issued orders to search for the soldiers who escaped with weapons, with entry and exit strictly controlled.
A man close to the army base added that the soldiers of the LIB, who were on the frontline since August last year, have not returned to the base, leaving family members in mourning.
In connection with the disappearance of more than 20 soldiers, it is reported that passers-by are being questioned and their belongings inspected by a large number of soldiers in Yatsauk.
“Since their soldiers ran away, they ask motorists more questions and inspect their belongings. They check people more frequently now,” a youth from Yatsauk told the Shan Herald.
Currently, the military council has deployed a large number of troops in Yatsauk Township and is searching the area with military columns.
Sent by Shan Herald.