The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and its politicalwing, the Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF), have announced the successfulcapture of Namhsan town, which had been traditionally governed by the Ta'angChao Pha (Sawbwa) ethnic rulers, after 64 years of military dictatorship.

All bases and outposts belonging to the Junta’s 101stDivision operating within military region of the 2nd Brigade in Ta'ang State,were successfully captured by the evening of December 15th.

The TNLA proudly declared the liberation of Namhsan from 64years of military dictatorship, at 3:30 PM on December 15th. The subsequentday, December 16th, marked the New Year's Day of 2715 in the Ta'ang calendar,when the town was officially returned to its rightful owners, the Ta'angpeople, TNLA stated.

Historically governed by the Ta'ang Chao Phas, Namhsan, aself-governing Taung Paing State, witnessed the overthrow of its ruler on March2nd, 1959, during the reign of Chao Pha Sao Hkun Pan Sein.

On December 10th, the TNLA launched its offensive to seizeNamhsan as a strategic move within 'Operation 1027'. By the evening of December15th, TNLA had successfully gained control over all administrative departmentsof the Military Council, encompassing outposts, the fortified camp at theJunta-operated dried tea factory, and the police station.

TNLA declared that in the Namhsan battle, they captured 4howitzer guns along with assorted weapons, mines, ammunition, and militaryequipment from the Military Council.

In addition over 60 enemy bodies were discovered. Thestatement also disclosed that 30 Military Council troops and 3 family members,6 policemen and 25 family members were  detained, bringing the totalnumber of prisoners of war to 64.

Amidst intense clashes, the Military Council's 130thInfantry Battalion based in Manton deployed artillery extensively. Also theJunta’s Air Force executed an airstrike with a Mi-35 helicopter, and bombs weredropped five times from an ATR-42 aircraft.19 air raids using jet fighters andlaunched five attacks with Y-12 aircraft were also deployed in an attempt tohalt TNLA's offensive but all in vain.

During the fighting, the Military Council indiscriminatelybombarded civilian areas in Namhsan, resulting in the tragic loss of lives forthree residents.

Furthermore religious structures, including Padamya (Ruby)Pagoda and Namhsan Church, suffered damage from shrapnel resulting frombombing. Additionally, over 40 houses and buildings at the primary school inNgunhseng village were impacted, with 14 houses reduced to ashes.