Myanmar Spring Chronicle – Scenes from June 6
(MoeMaKa), June 7, 2026
PDF Forces Capture Pro-Junta Militia Village in Pauk Township, Detain About 70 Militia Members and Family Members
In recent days, a coalition of PDF forces operating in Pakokku Township under the name Anyar Land Coalition announced that they had captured Kokkosu Village, a stronghold of the military-backed Pyu Saw Htee militia. Following the operation, they reportedly detained around 70 people, including militia members, their family members, and villagers considered supporters of the military regime. The announcement was accompanied by video footage.
Among those detained, the videos showed a man carrying a young child. The detainees included not only young and middle-aged men but also elderly men in their 60s and 70s. According to the statement, they were captured while attempting to flee toward the Industrial Zone (2) area of Myaing Township rather than surrendering. The PDF coalition also reported seizing 17 weapons, including one 60mm mortar. Photographs released with the announcement indicate that many of the seized weapons were carbines and similar firearms commonly supplied by the military to police stations and local militia groups rather than frontline combat weapons.
Around Pauk Township, a monk known as Pauk Kyaw Taw has for several years been actively encouraging the formation of pro-military militia units in villages supportive of the military. Similar to U Wasawa, widely known as the “550 Sayadaw” from Kanbalu Township in Sagaing Region, Pauk Kyaw Taw does not directly command armed militia groups. However, he has reportedly served as an intermediary between the military and villages in organizing militia units within Pauk Township and has frequently used social media to criticize PDF forces.
Across the Dry Zone (Anyar region), there are several villages with strong pro-military support in townships such as Myingyan, Pakokku, Pauk, Gangaw, Kalay, Kanbalu, and Kyunhla. In many cases, monks including Pauk Kyaw Taw and the 550 Sayadaw have played influential roles in mobilizing support, acting as intermediaries between the military and local communities.
Kokkosu Village, located along the Pathein–Monywa Highway, has long been regarded as a stronghold of pro-junta militia forces.
In recent days, PDF forces also captured the Yaypya Security Outpost, located on the Pakokku–Mindat section of the Pathein–Monywa Highway. Subsequently, on June 4, they seized Kokkosu Village, which lies along the same route. The town of Myitche, frequently appearing in recent news and situated across the river from Bagan, lies southeast of the Yaypya outpost and the area where these events occurred.
While junta troops have reportedly been conducting military operations around Myitche for nearly a month—including arson attacks, shelling, and killings—PDF forces have simultaneously been targeting Pyu Saw Htee strongholds such as Yaypya and Kokkosu to the northwest along the highway.
The road linking Pakokku and Mindat is strategically important. Recent signs suggest that junta forces may be preparing ground and air offensives against Mindat, Kanpetlet, and Matupi. As a result, there is a possibility that the military will launch counteroffensives to retake Kokkosu Village and the Yaypya police station now held by the Anyar coalition forces.
In recent months, the military has also established control over several strategic locations along the transportation corridor connecting Mindat to northern Rakhine State, a route used for moving civilian goods and supplies. These developments have fueled speculation that offensives against Mindat and Kanpetlet may be forthcoming.
The capture of a major Pyu Saw Htee stronghold and the detention of dozens of militia members has been widely viewed by local PDF forces as a significant success. At the same time, observers note that it is important for resistance forces in the area to prepare for potential military counterattacks and retaliatory operations by junta forces.