1. Junta brutally tortures civilians in Pakokku District—amputates limbs and detains them as human shields for one month
m.CDM, December 5
In Pakokku District, Pauk Township (Magway Region), a junta column detained civilians for one month as human shields, during which they were brutally tortured, including amputations, according to the Magway People’s Defence Team (PaKaFa).
On 29 October, a military column from the Pakokku-based LIB-24 entered Taepin and Makyi Kone villages in southern Pauk Township and abducted four civilians.
According to reports, the troops:
- Tortured all four
- Tied the hands of three victims behind their backs
- Put their fingers on a wooden block and cut off multiple fingers from both hands
They also cut off one victim’s ear, claiming he had spoken rudely during interrogation.
Additionally, during their month-long advance toward northern Pauk Township, troops repeatedly used other abducted civilians as human shields and forced them to walk in front of military columns.
The four abductees were eventually released on 29 November in Nga Fong Kan village after soldiers realized they had not yet died from their injuries.
2. Mandalay marketplace demolished by junta after strike leaders protest; one vendor arrested
m.CDM, December 5
A morning market known as Kaing Tan Market near Zay Cho in Chan Aye Tharzan Township was demolished by junta forces after three strike leaders staged an anti-election protest, according to locals.
On the morning of 3 December, Dr. Te Za San, Ko Khant Wai Phyo, Ko Nan Lin, and other protestors held an anti-election demonstration there.
The protestors distributed pamphlets urging people to oppose the junta’s sham election and to join the nationwide Silent Strike on December 10.
In retaliation, on December 4, Central Command Chief Maj-Gen Tin Min Latt ordered the marketplace to be destroyed. Around 300 military and municipal personnel arrived at about 10 p.m. and demolished the stalls.
One female vendor was also arrested—accused of raising three fingers (a resistance salute) during the protest.
The demolition was led by:
- Township Administrator U Tun Tun Win
- Lt-Col Aye Lynn Htun
- Police Major Myo Naing
At least 50 stalls were destroyed.
The protest occurred while Min Aung Hlaing was delivering a speech at the Fire Services Training School graduation in Pyin Oo Lwin, during which Mandalay City was under heavy security lockdown.
3. Child injured after artillery shell hits home in Hpakant Township
m.CDM, December 5
Due to ongoing military operations in Hpakant Township, Kachin State, clashes resumed around 6:30 p.m. on December 4 in two locations:
- Near Nyaung Pin Kone village (Aye Myay Thaya tract)
- Near Maw Si Sar Taung monastery
Clashes lasted nearly one hour.
On December 5 at around 5 a.m., fresh fighting erupted near Maw Si Sar old hospital as around 100 troops—from the junta, Shan-Ni armed group, and local PDF units—engaged each other.
During the fighting, a junta-fired artillery shell landed inside Maw Si Sar village, injuring a 12-year-old boy, Maung Phone Myat San, who suffered a leg injury.
4. Mines used to attack junta column in Pakokku District; two abducted civilians rescued
m.CDM, December 5
Resistance forces in the Kamma region say they launched a mine attack on junta Light Infantry Division 99’s columns advancing from Meiktila into Pakokku District, rescuing two abducted civilians.
The attacked troops were from LID 99’s rapid-assault battalions—LIB 417, 418, and 419.
Resistance forces report conducting:
- Mine attacks inside Pakokku Township
- Four additional attacks near the border of Mying Township
Near Nyaung Jit Pin Pyu camp, a junta vehicle was struck by a mine as Kamma joint forces and Mying PaKaFa attacked.
During this skirmish, they rescued two civilians abducted earlier from Ward No.3 in Kamma town.
On December 4, another mine attack near Kan Taw village killed one junta soldier.
The operations were carried out jointly by: - Magway PDF
- Mying PaKaFa
- Pauk PaKaFa
- Local joint forces
- Pakokku District Local Battalion
* Pakokku District strike columns
5. Taungoo military airport attacked with FPV drones by Waraziin Force
m.CDM, December 5
The heavily fortified Taungoo Air Force Base (Ketumati Airport) in Bago Region was attacked using FPV kamikaze drones by the Waraziin Force, according to their statement.
At 8:15 a.m. on December 4, they launched Operation Thunderbolt, deploying four advanced FPV suicide drones.
Two drones successfully struck:
- The junta’s air-defense observation tower, and
- Areas where jamming equipment was installed
The remaining two drones missed their targets due to weather conditions.
During the attack: - Multiple junta jamming systems caught fire and burned out
- The junta retaliated with a Mi-35 attack helicopter
Waraziin and the Northern Than Taung PDF cooperated in the strike. No resistance casualties were reported.
6. Body of KIO police officer found shot dead in Hpakant
m.CDM, December 5
The body of a KIO (Kachin Independence Organization) police officer was found shot dead in Yuma village, Hpakant Township.
Late on December 4, near the Shwe Kyaung Aung Bang shop between Machang Kahtawng and Yuma villages, a man was found shot to death.
KIO/KIA forces inspected the body the next morning and identified him as:
- Aung Thar Phyo (aka Aung Dan)
- From Se Mhu village
- A member of the KIO police force
He was killed by a small-caliber shot, with a bullet wound to the right side of his neck.
The location is a conflict-prone area along the Hpakant–Se Mhu road, where clashes between the junta and KIA/KPDF frequently occur.
7. Nearly 250 workers arrested as junta raids BGF/DKBA-protected scam compounds in Myawaddy
m.CDM, December 5
Junta forces raided online scam and gambling sites in Myawaddy, Karen State, which are protected by the BGF (Karen Border Guard Force) and DKBA, destroying buildings and making mass arrests.
Targets included:
- A scam site in Ward 3
- “669 Gate,” “Sand Pile Gate,” “Zero Gate,” “One Gate,” and “UK Gate” compounds
A total of 248 people were arrested: - 25 Chinese nationals
- 223 Myanmar nationals
Seized items: - 82 computers
- 92 mobile phones
- Various equipment
Eight buildings were searched (five with three floors, three single-story). One three-story building was blown up to prevent reuse.
Around 250 workers reportedly fled during the raid.
Before the operation, BGF commander Bo Tin Win allegedly helped move Chinese bosses from the scam centers to a new BGF base in Thit Kha Te village for protection.
8. Artillery shells from Myawaddy clashes land in Thailand—two Thai civilians injured; Thai military fires four warning smoke rounds
m.CDM, December 5
At 11:40 a.m. on December 5, heavy fighting between junta troops and the KNLA near Min Let Pan village (Myawaddy Township) caused artillery shells fired from the Myanmar side to land inside Thailand, according to Thai media.
As a result:
- At least two Thai civilians were injured, including an elderly man in serious condition
- Several houses and vehicles were damaged
The Thai military responded by firing four smoke rounds across the border as a warning.
Fighting remains intense near Min Let Pan. Thai authorities have warned villages on their side to stay alert, and some residents have begun evacuating to safer areas.
Today’s news was compiled by Ko Thit Lulay and Kha Shell.