12 April 2026 By Mon Lay
BELIN, Myanmar — In a significant tactical victory for Myanmar’s resistance, allied pro-democracy forces have captured a strategic military base and detained a high-ranking battalion commander during a lightning raid in Mon State on Sunday morning.
The base, known as Lay Kay camp, was home to Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 2, operating under the command of the 44th Light Infantry Division. Resistance officials confirmed that the site was fully occupied by 8:00 AM local time following an intense assault that began in the early hours.
The operation was led by a powerful coalition including the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the People’s Defence Force (PDF) Special Command. In a rare and embarrassing setback for the military junta, the camp’s battalion commander and several other officers were taken alive during the surrender.
A spokesperson for the resistance noted that a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition was also seized during the raid. “The junta troops were unable to withstand the momentum of our synchronized offensive,” the official said. “The capture of the commander represents a major collapse in the morale of the local garrison.”
The successful takeover involved a sophisticated alliance of various revolutionary groups, including the Burma People’s Liberation Army (BPLA), the SOF, Rangoon Warriors, and the White Dragon Battalion. These units operated under the tactical command of the Special Regional Command’s leadership, showcasing a growing degree of cooperation among Myanmar’s diverse armed groups.
For the military junta led by General Min Aung Hlaing, the loss of Lay Kay camp is a strategic blow. The base served as a critical node for maintaining territorial control in Belin Township, a key transit area in southern Myanmar.
As the conflict in Myanmar enters its fifth year, the military junta is increasingly finding itself on the defensive in the ethnic borderlands. The capture of high-ranking officers is a sensitive matter for the military leadership in Naypyidaw, which has recently struggled with desertions and a lack of fresh recruits.
Following the seizure, resistance forces have begun “clearing operations” to secure the surrounding jungle and assess the captured military inventory. For the allied forces, the fall of Lay Kay camp is more than just a territorial gain; it is a demonstration of their capacity to coordinate complex, multi-unit attacks against fortified military positions.
As of Sunday evening, the military junta has not issued an official statement regarding the loss of the base or the capture of its commanding officer. However, the victory has been widely celebrated on social media by pro-democracy supporters, who see it as a turning point in the struggle for control of Mon State.
