Bo Nagar, leader of the Burma National Revolutionary Army (BNRA) in Pale Township, Sagaing Region, has defected to the junta with his family, bringing weapons with him.

The junta announced that Bo Nagar and his family defected at around 4:50 p.m. on February 18, bringing six weapons and pieces of equipment.

Bo Nagar, who had declared himself a resistance leader, defected to the junta on February 18, a day after resistance forces under the command of the National Unity Government (NUG) attacked several BNRA bases in Pale Township.

According to NUG spokesperson U Nay Phone Latt, the NUG’s Home Affairs and Defense ministries are collaborating to investigate and apprehend those responsible for crimes committed by the BNRA.

On the morning of February 18, a junta column entered Thittayar Village near Pale Town and took up positions. Reports emerged that two helicopters landed in the village to evacuate Bo Nagar and his family. In the evening, the junta announced his defection.

On February 18, the NUG announced it is continuing efforts to arrest and prosecute U Htin Lin, also known as Bo Nagar, and some of his troops on seven charges, including murder, rape, and concealment of dead bodies.

The NUG announced that it had attempted to arrest the suspects on February 17, but BNRA troops resisted, sparking gunfights, and the BNRA had refused requests to hand over the suspects.

After Bo Nagar defected to the junta, around 150 BNRA members began contacting the People’s Defence Force (PDF) under the NUG, surrendering their weapons and pledging to collaborate with the PDF, according to the NUG.