A colonel, the military regime’s tactical commander, was killed in a battle near the Myawaddy-Wallay road in Myawaddy Township, an area controlled by KNU Brigade 6, according to KNLA joint forces.

The junta forces clashed with a combined force of Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and PDF forces near Nyaungchaung village on October 19, conducting air strikes.

Colonel Win Min Oo, the tactical commander of the 44th Division, was reportedly killed by a sniper shot by Cobra Column.

After that, the military council continuously opened fire nearby indiscriminately with mortar shells along with airstrikes.

On the night of October 18, there were clashes between KNLA joint forces and junta forces around Taw Naw waterfall near Myawaddy-Asia highway in KNU Brigade 6 territory, while on the morning of October 19, another fight broke out near Kawkayeik on Asia highway.

Hundreds of passenger buses, including trucks, are stuck on Asia highway due to the fighting.

There were ongoing skirmishes on Kyaikdo-Kyainseikgyi road in KNU Brigade 6, and military aircraft dropped bombs on the morning of October 19.

The junta armed forces stepped up operations after the KNLA joint forces ambushed the regime forces who invaded Tagay, Khotekhwar and Kyain villages in recent days and captured 16 military personnel alive.