Brigadier General Myint Shwe, commander of Light Infantry Division 101, and several officers with the rank of major were among the 116 people killed during a massive four-hour junta airstrike on an Arakan Army (AA) detention camp in Ann Township on 8 March.
In a video testimony released by Arakan Princess Media, surviving prisoner of war Brigadier General Thaung Htun described the assault as a “calculated and ruthless act,” noting that the military conducted multiple reconnaissance flights and was fully aware the location was a prisoner of war (POW) facility before deploying four jet fighters and four Y-12 transport planes for the attack.
“Division Commander-level officer Col. Thet Htoo San narrowly escaped the incident. However, Brigadier General Myint Shwe was inside a building that caught fire during the attack and died there. Several majors were also killed. A clinic located next to the detention ward was struck in the airstrike. Young military doctors and nurses among their ranks, as well as two or three Grade-2 staff officers holding the rank of major were killed,” said Brigadier General Thaung Htun.
The strike targeted prison wards and a clinic, burning many detainees alive including military doctors and nurses while Colonel Thet Htoo San, a high-ranking officer captured in 2024, narrowly escaped the flames.
The Myanmar Defence and Security Institute (MDSI) had previously reported him as killed or missing during the fighting in Thandwe Township in August 2024.
Colonel Thet Htoo San (Army-30317), a graduate of the 40th intake of the Defence Services Academy (DSA-40) and who was captured in December 2024 when the Arakan Army (AA) seized the Military Operation Command 5 (MOC 5) headquarters, survived the attack.
According to a statement by the Arakan Army (AA), the junta’s forces carried out an airstrike on the POW camp in the Dalat Chaung area on March 8. The attack lasted nearly four hours, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, and involved four jet fighters and four Y-12 transport aircraft.
Brig. Gen. Thaung Htun explained that the bombs first struck the prison wards, causing the buildings to catch fire immediately. Because the flames spread rapidly, those inside had no chance to escape and were burned to death.
He further stated that the junta had carried out numerous reconnaissance flights prior to the attack. Despite being aware that the location was a detention facility, they still launched the heavy bombing attack, which he described as a “cruel” act.
“It is heartbreaking and tragic. Why be so cruel? This incident appears to be a calculated and ruthless act. That is how I see it, and I feel deeply saddened by it,” he said.
During the junta’s airstrikes, some prison doors were broken open, allowing a number of detainees to escape.
