WHILE temporarily occupying and controlling Bamauk and its surrounding areas, the terrorists burned local residents’ homes, forcibly seized their belongings, and disrupted government administration. As a result, the residents were forced to flee to temporary IDP camps or abandon their homes, buildings, and possessions. Additionally, it was found that during their temporary control of the area around Bamauk, the terrorist groups excessively extracted both surface and underground resources, causing significant environmental damage.
Security forces, organized into military columns, began clearing the area to retake Bamauk on 24 September 2025. They first regained control of Pinhinkha, Shwekyaung, Khopyin, Naungthaya, and Khamoe villages, Towerdaing hillock, and the surrounding areas of Pyu hill, which had been temporarily held by terrorists. On 26 October, they secured strategically important positions approximately 2,000 metres west and northwest of Bamauk.
The security forces continued to make necessary preparations and carry out to comb the area step by step, and took full control of Bamauk. Terrorists in Bamauk fortified religious buildings, schools, hospitals, government offices, residential buildings, hotels, and high-rises with sandbag bunkers, using local residents as human shields to attack security forces, who, following the published Rules of Engagement (ROE), conducted a step-by-step operation lasting more than four months and fully retook control of the town, which had been temporarily under insurgent control, on 8 February.
During the operation, 69 major and minor clashes with terrorists took place, resulting in casualties among some security forces, and the seizure of 27 arms, ammunition, bombs, explosives used in terror activities, and the bodies of terrorists.
Security forces are reportedly working with local residents to help displaced people return to their homes in Bamauk and to clear debris, repair damaged schools, remove landmines, and resume reconstruction in the town damaged by terrorists. — MNA/GNLM
