Local residents have reported that a young member of the People's Defense Force (PDF), residing in Myay Nu Ward, Bhamo Township, Kachin State, has defected to the Military Council. As a result of his interrogation, military are now hunting down individuals associated with the PDF defector in Bhamo Township.

It is believed that the PDF member was handed over to the Military Council by his parents. A resident of Bhamo said, "That young man underwent military training with the PDF and rumours circulated in Myay Nu Ward, that his parents willingly surrendered him. His parents have been supporters of the military from the very beginning."

The young PDF member who defected to the Military Council is a graduate of KPDF Military Training Week 2. His name remains unknown. This defection came about after the Military Council issued a statement on May 9, urging PDF members to return to the "legal fold" and offering financial rewards for all assistance and extra payment for all weapons surrendered.

On May 9, the Military Council troops made announcements through their Junta- controlled  television stations and newspapers, declaring that members of the PDF group were invited to return to the “legal fold.” Following the announcement, leaflets and posters were prominently displayed in crowded areas such as Mogaung Township, Hpakant Township, Bhamo Township, and Kamaing Township in Kachin State.

A resident of Bhamo said, "That young man underwent military training with the PDF and rumours circulated in Myay Nu Ward that his parents willingly surrendered him. His parents have been supporters of the military from the very beginning."

After the PDF youth defected to the Military Council, residents said that Military Council troops came to the home of Ko Thet Naing Tun, a 20-year-old man who lives behind Thein Taw Gyi, on May 16. He was subsequently arrested by the troops, who alleged his connection to the PDFs.

Residents have also reported that authorities are actively searching for individuals who are suspected of having connections to the PDFs in Bhamo Township.

A resident said, "The young man who defected to the Military Council has not yet come back home. It appears that he is still being held in custody. It is believed that he may have provided information. Right now they're checking and arresting people in the town."