Nearly 40 Bamar PDF members killed by Kayin armed groups over five years
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Hsu/Thant Zin (NP News) - Jan 4
Over the past five years, nearly 40 Bamar People’s Defence Force (PDF) members have been killed by armed groups in Kayin State, according to a source speaking to The Statesman.
The killings primarily targeted Bamar PDF leaders and occurred largely within Kayin State, particularly in the Myawaddy area and near the town of Waw Lay, he said.
They were reportedly carried out by the KNU and KTLA under the pretext that the victims were "informers."
"The first incident involved the Tiger Column under the Kaw Thoo Lei Army (KTLA), which killed 12 People's Defense Force (PDF) members, as reported by foreign media. The perpetrators were Tiger Column commander Saw Hla Phyo and his subordinate Aung Aung, who slit the victims' throats with knives. In another case, a person known as Comrade Taik Maung was killed by the Karen National Union (KNU). The PDFs were accused of various offenses in these events, which occurred near Myawaddy, where the KTLA—led by Saw Nerdah Mya and operating around the Waw Lay area—is based. According to the source, from Commander Salone to the Tiger Column, these groups harbor extreme hostility toward Bamar people, particularly leaders, whom they have killed if identified as such."
While The Statesman has been unable to verify these claims independently, data indicates that the KTLA was responsible for eight deaths, the Tiger Column for 12, and a KTLA Special Commando unit under Commander Salone for six. Additionally, a group led by Al Say War from the KNLA reportedly killed 12.
"Based on precise information I have, Nerdah Mya’s group under the KTNA killed eight people accused of being 'informers.' Saw Hla Phyo’s Tiger Column then killed 12 more, for a total of 20. Additionally, on New Year’s Eve 2022, Salone killed six PDF members, including a Yangon native known as Kala or Kala Gyi, whom I clearly remember. Salone personally accused them of being 'informers' before executing them," the source said.
The PDF fatalities included several leaders, most notably Comrade Dipa, a doctor who had transitioned from the Disobedience Civil Servant (DCS) to the resistance.
"Among those killed by Al Say War’s group were Comrade Dipa, DCS doctor Kaung Htet, Comrade Ko Myo, and Comrade Anyar Thar, along with about eight more—all PDF leaders. They were accused of being 'informers' with no other evidence provided. When these groups came to power, they only held authority online; on the ground, real power rests more with the young officers," the same source said.