On January 6th, the Military Council released 30 residents of Myindaung village in Khin-U Township, Sagaing Region, who had been previously detained in the same village, locals said.

Detained since January 3rd, the villagers were all released as Junta troops departed from the village, a local defence team member told Mizzima. "Fearing potential attacks during their village deployment, it appears the Military Council troops used the villagers as human shields; and upon their departure, the detainees in Myindaung village were released”, he said.

According to Ko Nay Thura, spokesperson for Khin-U Information, the Military Council did not harshly torture or kill the villagers during their arrest, however some of them were subjected to beatings and interrogations.

"Some villagers experienced minor beatings, thankfully without any severe injuries.The soldiers confiscated phone SIM cards and some cash from the detainees during the incident”, he added.

Two Junta soldiers were killed in a skirmish when the departing Military Council column clashed with Local Defense Force (LDF) fighters near Khin-U Township.

"At the entrance to Khin-U, the LDF ambushed the Military Council troops with landmines. Witnesses confirmed the death of two soldiers and injuries to several others”, Ko Nay Thura said.

Following an overnight stay in Khin-U Township on January 6th, the Military Council column resumed its operations in the southern villages of Khin-U on January 7th, prompting residents to evacuate their homes temporarily.