Thousands of villagers in Salin Township, Sagaing Region, have fled their homes following the arrival of a junta column consisting of around 100 troops at Nyaung Pin Gyi village police station, according to local revolutionary forces.

The column entered the area via the Chindwin River from the Monywa side on the evening of 15 June, a member of the revolutionary forces reported. After disembarking, the troops inspected locals traveling to and from work at the Zin Yaw jetty in Nyaung Pin Gyi village before occupying a monastery overnight, according to the Young People Force (YPF).

On 16 June, the troops advanced into nearby Aung Chan Si village before returning to Nyaung Pin Gyi later that evening. By nightfall, the same forces were seen entering the premises of the Chinese-owned Wanbao company, reports said.

As the column moved through the area, thousands of residents from Nyaung Pin Gyi and surrounding villages including Ywar Shay, Thein Taw, Aung Chan Si, and Tan Taw Gyi—fled to safer locations to avoid potential violence.

“Some villagers have already left, and many others are preparing to flee if the situation escalates,” said a representative from the Anya Pa Taing Htaung Lay Myar group, a local humanitarian network.

The troops were observed again on the morning of 17 June moving between the police outpost in Htan Taw village and the Wanbao company compound.

According to Ko Lat Yar, a leader from the Young People Force, the operation may be part of a broader territorial clearance campaign in Salingyi Township.

“There have been no reports of arrests, killings, or arson so far. But if the column moves toward other areas, clashes could break out,” he warned.

Just over a month earlier, on 14 May, revolutionary forces clashed with junta troops stationed at the Nyaung Pin Gyi police station. The confrontation occurred after the junta soldiers were accused of extorting money from passing cargo trucks. The incident left one soldier and one resistance fighter dead.