The Arakan Army (AA) has declared that the secondbatch of Pauk Taw residents (comprising 104 individuals), who were kidnappedand used as human shields by the junta forces, were rescued.

In a press statement issued on 23 November, the AAclaimed that during the battles on 21 & 22 November in Pauk Taw locality,the junta troops lost 48 lives. Moreover, the AA members could capture someweapons and military equipment’s including the drones, it added.

On 16 November, anumber of civilians including monks, elderly people, pregnant women andchildren were kidnapped by the junta forces to use them as human against the AAoffensive.

Earlier, on 21 November, the AA rescued 120 hostages.Continuing its mission, the AA members attacked the junta forces andsuccessfully rescued the second batch.

All the rescued individuals are being transported tosafer places, added the statement.

On 21 November, the first day of offensive, morethan 30 junta soldiers were killed in three places. On the second day, 18 soldiers were neutralised and 18were injured in three places under Pauk Taw township.

The AA asserted that efforts are being made to ensurethe safe release of remaining hostages from the custody of junta soldiers.

Pauk Taw is located about 20 miles east of Sittwe andit has a population of about 30,000. TheAAmembers have been fighting against the Burmese army personnel to bring the townunder its control.