Intense clashes erupted along the Bago Region–Rakhine State border in  January 03-04, leaving dozens of soldiers dead and many others captured during fighting near Leyla Mountain and the 666 Point Camp on the strategic Padaung–Taungkot road, according to local sources.

A military source in the area said that at least 50 to 60 soldiers were killed during the engagements, including an officer holding the rank of major. Bodies were reportedly scattered across the battlefield, suggesting close-range and prolonged combat. The source added that the fallen troops were no longer wearing divisional insignia, making it difficult to identify their exact unit affiliation.

The fighting reportedly took place over two consecutive days, on January 3 and 4, as Arakan Army (AA) forces and allied groups confronted an advancing military column in rugged, mountainous terrain. Several soldiers who attempted to flee the clashes were also captured during subsequent operations.

“There have been quite a few arrests, but it’s hard to confirm exact numbers because the military has not released any official information,” the local source said, noting that militia forces were also deployed in the fighting. “Most of them are young people in their 20s, though there are also men in their 30s.”

According to a report by Narinjara, the clashes near Leyla Mountain and the 666 Point Camp were particularly fierce, with both sides sustaining significant losses as control over key positions along the border road was contested. The area is considered strategically important, linking interior regions of Bago with parts of Rakhine State.

Fighting was reported to be ongoing, with resistance forces maintaining pressure on military units attempting to advance through the corridor. Independent verification of casualty figures remains difficult due to restricted access and the absence of official statements, but residents and local sources described the situation as one of the most intense confrontations in the area in recent months.

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