Two dozen troops from the Military Council’s 508th Light Infantry Battalion, based in Yat Sawk Township in Taunggyi District, southern Shan State, fled with weapons and ammunition according to a Shan Herald report.

A source close to Ba Htoo Battalion told Shan Herald, “We heard that they ran away from the battalion, because they didn’t want to go to the frontline. The families of married people in the battalion were strictly prohibited from going out. Among those who deserted, some officers took their families with them. There were 24 people in total including officers”, A source close to Ba Htoo Battalion told the Shan Herald.

Senior officers of the Military Council’s Ba Htoo Battalion have issued an order to search for the soldiers and officers who fled with weapons, and the battalion’s entry and exit regulations have been tightened.

In August some troops of the 508th Light Infantry Battalion went to the front-line and never came back. Many family members have been emotionally affected, said a person close to the battalion.

Since more than 20 soldiers and officers of the battalion have escaped and are missing, the Military Council is currently using a large military force in the city of Yat Sawk, to interrogate the people and search their accessories, locals said.

“ After the deserters ran away, drivers especially were closely questioned. They also searched all baggage and goods thoroughly. Local people were subjected to more intense interrogations,”  a young man from Yat Sawk told Shan Herald.

The regional military command has deployed many forces in Yat Sawk and the search continues.