TATMADAW columns have recaptured a series of villages along the Kale­wa-Yagyi-Monywa road as part of ongoing operations to reopen the strategically important Myanmar-India Friendship Highway, ac­cording to official reports.

Tatmadaw launched security operations on 2 June to regain control of the route, which had been under the temporary con­trol of joint terrorist insur­gent groups. Since then, troops have progressively secured more than a dozen locations, including Yele­kkyun, Yagyi, Lapote and Htonegyi villages. On 23 June, military columns reportedly reached Kyaw village and are continu­ing security operations in co-operation with local security forces.

Clashes occurred during clearance opera­tions along the route, with security forces reporting the seizure of weapons, ammunition, equipment and makeshift insurgent bases. They also claimed that insurgent forces suf­fered heavy casualties and retreated from the area.

To ensure safe travel for local residents, Tat­madaw columns have been conducting mine-clear­ance operations along sec­tions of the road between Lapote and Kyaw villages, removing landmines alleg­edly planted by insurgent groups.

PDF terrorists had reportedly blocked the route and used it to extort money from cargo trucks and passenger vehicles, carry out kidnappings and killings, burn vehicles, and engage in illegal timber ex­traction and the transport of restricted goods. These activities had disrupted lo­cal livelihoods and created insecurity for residents.

The Kalewa-Yagyi- Monywa road is a vital transport corridor linking Myanmar and India and plays a key role in region­al trade and logistics. Tat­madaw said counter-ter­rorism operations would continue to fully reopen the highway, restore se­curity, and support the safe movement of people and goods in the region. — MNA/ST