People’s Defence Force marks 5th year of resistance to coup; Military ‘eyes’ Myanmar-India border town

People’s Defence Force marks 5th year of resistance to coup

Duwa Lashi La, Acting President of the National Unity Government (NUG), said the resistance is facing political challenges and frequent territorial losses in a message marking the fifth anniversary of the formation of the NUG armed wing, the People’s Defence Force (PDF), on Tuesday. “I earnestly urge all comrades to strengthen their wisdom and resilience during the revolutionary period and to fight bravely,” he said.

The NUG Acting President’s remarks come as regime forces recaptured Sagaing Region’s Mawlu town on Tuesday and Indaw town on April 30 from the PDF. Resistance forces, including the PDF, opposed to the military coup on Feb. 1, 2021 have seized 103 towns across Burma over the last five years. At least 15 of these towns have since been retaken by the military during its ongoing counteroffensive, according to DVB data.

Around 360 PDF units have been established nationwide under NUG Central Command since 2021. In addition to the PDF, the NUG oversees Local Defense Forces (LDF) and People’s Defense Teams (PDT), known by its Burmese acronym PaKaPa, which operate as localized units for security in resistance-controlled areas of Sagaing and Magway regions. The NUG has not disclosed the total number of members in PaKaPa.

Read more on DVB English News: Myanmar military retakes strategic town of Mawlu amid resistance setbacks.

Military ‘eyes’ Myanmar-India border town

The Chin Brotherhood told DVB that regime forces have been attacking resistance positions along the 41 mile (66 km) long road connecting the Chin State capital Hakha to Falam Township, after regaining control of Falam town from resistance forces on April 25. Falam, located 41 miles (66 km) north of Hakha, had been seized by the Chin Brotherhood in April 2025.

Salai Yaw Man, the Chin Brotherhood spokesperson, told DVB that regime forces will likely launch more attacks to regain control of the Burma-India border town of Rikhawdar, which was seized by the Chin National Army (CNA) and Chinland Defence Force (CDF) on Nov. 13, 2023. Rikhawdar is a key trade hub located 106-147 miles (170-236 km) northwest and north of Falam and Hakha.

Zin Yaw, a former soldier who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) following the 2021 military coup, told DVB that logistic routes will be cut if Rikhawdar is recaptured by regime forces. No progress in reunification talks between the two Chin resistance factions, the Chin Brotherhood and the CNA, has been publicly announced since they began in India’s Mizoram State capital Aizawl on Feb. 26, 2025.