The junta has regained control of Naungcho (Nawnghkio) Town in northern Shan State’s Naungcho Township but there is still ongoing heavy fighting on the town’s outskirts.

Previously, Naungcho Town was held by the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) which had taken control of the town from the junta on 26 June 2024. 

But on 11 July 2025, junta forces began advancing on the town from the Tawnghkam area of Naungcho Township. On the evening of 15 July junta troops entered central wards of Naungcho Town and took control of banks and administrative offices, according to local sources who said that by the end of 15 July the  junta had taken control of five of Naungcho Town’s six central downtown wards.

A Naungcho Town resident said to Shan Herald on 15 July: “The soldiers have reached the downtown wards and set up perimeters around the banks and offices near the market. Sporadic gunfire can still be heard in the downtown area. But it’s safe to say the junta has regained full control of the area. The TNLA and its allies are still fighting on the outskirts. Around 200 TNLA troops are firing from the nearby sugarcane fields. So, no, the fighting isn’t over yet.”

On 16 July,  the TNLA announced that it had moved its Naungcho Town civil administration office to a safer location on 15 July, due to increased fighting in the town.

The TNLA has also warned the public to remain vigilant as fighting is expected to continue in Nuangcho Town for the coming days.

Junta military columns have also advanced close to the Goke Hteik Bridge near Naungcho Town and used drones to bomb the villages of Nawngpyit, Longkyein, Hkelong, Pinpaw, and Zeepinsakan on the other side of the bridge. This has forced residents of those villages to flee their homes.

Pro-junta Telegram channels have been circulating photos of soldiers taking up positions in downtown Naungcho for propaganda purposes.

Shan Herald attempted to contact the TNLA spokesperson, Lway Yay Oo, about the military situation in Naungcho Town but was unable to contact her. However, on the morning of 15 July, she told Myanmar Now that TNLA commanders remained in control of the town and that more senior TNLA military commanders were assessing the situation.

As fierce fighting continues around Naungcho Town, junta troops have been advancing from Bantbway Village in Naungcho Township towards Naungcho Town but the TNLA has intercepted