THE TNLA terrorist group attempted to destroy the governance mechanism, taking advantage of the political issues of 2021 and the consequences of clashes in Shan State (North) that started on 27 October 2023, aiming to establish Palaung state. To establish Palaung state, they did not resort to political means, but to terrorist attacks using the PDF terrorists as their cover with the help of EAO, and they temporarily controlled some towns and villages in Kyaukme and Nawnghkio townships in Shan State (north).
Tatmadaw conducted Counter-Terrorism Operations to reoccupy the towns and villages controlled by TNLA, DPLA and PDF terrorists. On 16 July 2025, Tatmadaw regained control over Nawnghkio Township and conducted security measures on the Nawnghkio-Kyaukme road section along the Mandalay-Lashio-Muse route to ensure the trade flow. On 29 August, Tatmadaw controlled the Goatwin bridge, Naungpyit village, Kanyin village, Zeebingyi village and Naungpain village regardless of the natural barriers, also the Goatwin bridge, Gokteik railway and Shukhintha and other key places through the ways the TNLA and alliances did not expect.
Tatmadaw columns have carried out the necessary preparations and arrangements to swiftly occupy Kyaukme, a major town in northern Shan State, and to quickly reopen the Nawnghkio-Kyaukme road, and to decisively combat TNLA, DPLA and PDF terrorists.
Starting from 9 September, Tatmadaw columns launched counter attacks, and reoccupied Mankut village on 10 September 2025, while Papoke village on 12 September, Khaylaung village on 13 September, Panmalut village on 15 September, Pitat and Pantee villages on 17 September, Kaunghmu village on 18 September, Mahnpan village on 19 September, Point-1212 hill, Khitetonehone and Gonkaw villages on 20 September, south and north Taungsayleik village on 21 September, Naaikekhan village on 22 September, Myinkwin and Nachaung villages on 25 September, Khamsa and Mahnlwe villages on 27 September, Pintee, Sakhantha, Lonwel, Nanghu and Paukanlay and Paukangyi villages on 29 September and Nansaw, Khomaung and Kaungaeik villages and vicinity areas on 30 September.
On 1 October, Tatmadaw gained full control over Kyaukme, where the terrorists had temporarily controlled, and local ethnic people were seriously oppressed by the terrorists. Tatmadaw columns shatter their dream — to occupy Palaung state step by step by regaining towns, and now control the Kyaukme-Nawnghkio-PyinOoLwin Pyidaungsu road.
During the 21-day operation, there were 36 clashes, 76 engagements, totalling 112, and the Tatmadaw seized 61 dead bodies of terrorists, 41 arms and ammunition, and some Tatmadaw officials and other ranks were also injured.
While TNLA, DPLA and PDF terrorists were retreating, they burnt down Kyaukme police station, EPC station, district forestry office, district administrative office, fire brigade building, schools and religious buildings. When they temporarily controlled the town, they built bunkers in departmental buildings, hospitals and houses, attacked the Tatmadaw columns with the cover of houses of locals. They also took away the properties of locals, and the locals fled their homes and evacuated to the houses of their relatives and to the IPD camps.
The terrorists exploded bridge No 9/84 at the milepost 78/2-78/3 of Mandalay-Lashio-Muse Union Highway in Nawnghkio Township in Kyaukme District, Shan State (North), on 13 July 2025, the new and old Goatwin bridges on 15 July, and a 60-foot section of the iron truss of the Gokteik Viaduct between pier P-16 and abutment AB-2 on the Kyaukme side on 24 August, and blocked the Nawnghkio-Kyaukme road section.
Therefore, Tatmadaw columns conducted road clearance activities with manpower and machinery along the road, and the Tatmadaw engineers built a Bailey bridge starting from 29 August to be able to use the Goatwin bridge. And the construction of the Bailey bridge, 150ft in length and 18ft in width, was completed on 12 September. They also conducted security measures along Kyaukme-Nawnghkio-PyinOoLwin Pyidaungsu road, and the repair works on the historic Gokteik railway were completed 59.1 per cent.
Within 21 days, the military columns were able to retake Kyaukme, located 33 kilometres from Nawnghkio Township, based on the timely report made by all the local people, young and old, who largely rely on Tatmadaw members.
Tatmadaw reoccupied Kyaukme yesterday, and the local ethnic people welcomed Tatmadaw columns with Aung Thabyay and flowers warmly.
Tatmadaw columns carried out rehabilitation activities in Nawnghkio, and they also conducted counter-terrorism operations to ensure the safe return of locals, governance mechanism operation and stability in these areas by cooperating with locals. Therefore, the school-age children will have their chances to continue their learning, and those over 18 can get their human rights to cast their votes in the coming free, fair and just multiparty general election in time. — MNA/KTZH
