Tatmadaw troops have recaptured the area between Goktwin bridge Gokteik Railway Line between Nawnghkio and Kyaukme, which was temporarily controlled by TNLA and PDF groups, the National Defense and Security Council Information Team announced on August 29.
The Tatmadaw continued to clear the area in order to reopen the Nawnghkio and Kyaukme section of the Mandalay-Lashio-Muse Highway, a major route for the flow of goods through Nawnghkio.
In doing so, Tatmadaw columns started two security operations, Nawnghkio-Goktwin and Nawnghkio-Gokteik railway.
According to the announcement, Tatmadaw columns pursued and attacked Naung Paing village which was behind enemy lines with the support of land and air. Tatmadaw regained Khe Tone Kyaing village on 19 August 2025, while Kaung Po village on 21, Htantabin village on 22, Panti village on 23, Naung Pein village, Pin Paw village and Zeebin Sakhan village on 24, Kyaung Kone village on 25, Sanda Muni monastery on 26, Naungpyit junction and the Goktwin Viaduct on 27, Shukhin Thar on 28, and the Gokteik Viaduct and its surrounding area on August 29.
During the 12-day operation, there were 47 major and minor clashes with armed groups, and 29 enemy bodies and 23 weapons were seized, the statement said.
During the clashes with the Tatmadaw columns, TNLA and PDF groups planted and detonated mines to destroy a bridge located at the milepost 78/2-78/3 of the Mandalay-Lashio-Muse Union Road in Nawnghkio Township on July 13, 2025. Additionally, on July 15, they targeted the new and old Goktwin bridges for the second time. On August 24, they planted and detonated explosives on the Kyaukme side of the historic Gokteik viaduct, a renowned ancient structure, according to the released statement.
Therefore, work is underway to erect a temporary iron frame bailey bridge to restore the Gotdwin Bridge and to facilitate transport for public use, and Tatmadaw is continuing to conduct area clearance operations.
