Three Myanmar brigadier generals sentenced to death for surrendering strategic town on Chinese border: Sources

Myanmar’s junta has sentenced three brigadier generals to death after they surrendered with hundreds of troops relinquishing control of a strategic town on the Chinese border to ethnic minority fighters last month, military sources revealed on Monday.

“Three brigadier generals including the commander of Laukkai town were given the death sentence,” AFP quoted a military source as saying on condition of anonymity, as they were not authorised to talk to the media.

Another military source confirmed the sentencing.

In January, a significant event unfolded as hundreds of troops in Laukkai, located in northern Shan state, surrendered to the Three Brotherhood Alliance after enduring months of conflict.

This surrender marked one of the military’s most significant setbacks in decades and drew uncommon public criticism from its own supporters. The junta, grappling with fierce opposition since its 2021 coup, faced scrutiny following this incident.

After surrendering, the officers and their troops were permitted to depart the area.

Despite inquiries, neither of the two sources contacted by AFP provided details regarding the timing of the verdict. However, a military spokesperson told AFP last month that the three brigadier generals were under military custody.

In accordance with Myanmar’s military law, unauthorised departure from a post carries the potential penalty of death.

Attempts to reach a junta spokesperson for comment were unsuccessful, the AFP report said.

With inputs from agencies