A video recently circulated on social media claiming that it shows a gunfight between the UPDF (Prasit faction) and JSS (Santu faction) in Panchhari, Khagrachari. The post alleges that over a hundred armed members from both sides participated in the exchange of fire.
See such posts on Facebook here: here (Archive), here (Archive), and here (Archive).
See similar claims on X here: X Post (Archive).
Fact Check
Rumor Scanner team’s investigation reveals that the circulated video does not depict a gunfight between UPDF (Prasit) and JSS (Santu) in Panchhari, Khagrachari. Rather, the footage shows a clash between junta forces and one or more rebel groups in Myaung city, Myanmar.
Reverse image searches using keyframes from the video led to a Facebook post from Myanmar-based media outlet “Maung” dated May 9, which matches the viral footage: Video Post. Visual comparison confirms the match.
The video caption states: “Terrorist junta troops were attacked at the central police station in Myaung, Myanmar. A commander and three soldiers were killed, and three firearms were seized (video/audio attached). Date: May 9, 2025 | Six junta troops were extorting money from civilians in Myaung, Sagaing Region. Armed resistance forces opened fire, killing a commander and three soldiers. CDSOM (ဗိုလ်စင်္ကြာ) reported seizing three firearms in a statement.”
Another version of the event states: On May 5, six junta soldiers from Myaung central police station were collecting money from civilians. Resistance forces ambushed them, killing a commander and two soldiers, and severely injuring two others. One resistance member was shot in the arm. Three MA-3 rifles were seized.
The operation was conducted by a joint force including CDSOM (ဗိုလ်စင်္ကြာ), MRF Safo unit, Sagaing District’s 1st Battalion, local PDF units, and the Jamani Guerrilla Unit. Video credit: Hein Min Tun (automatically translated).
Additionally, a report was published on May 10 by Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB): Archived Report. Photos in the report visually match the location shown in the circulated video. It states: “Attack on junta forces in Myaung, 4 including deputy commander killed, 3 guns seized | On May 5, junta forces in Myaung, Sagaing Region, were suddenly attacked. Four were killed, including a deputy commander, and several weapons were seized,” as confirmed by the Myaung Rangers Force (MRF) on May 9 (automatically translated).
Following this, the team located the official Facebook page of Myaung Rangers Force – MRF: MRF Page. A video posted there on May 9 (Archived) shows scenes that match the viral footage. The caption reads:
“Press release on the clash | On May 5, 2025, at the toll gate in Myaung, junta forces stationed at a toll booth were attacked by a joint force of Myaung Rangers Force (M.R.F), Sagaing District Battalion 1, and the Bo Singjya (ဗိုလ်စကြာ) unit.
Our troops initiated the attack. Shortly after, a reserve unit of about 30 junta soldiers arrived, escalating the conflict. One of our fighters was shot in both hands. However, we managed to seize three MA-type light firearms. According to evidence from the site, four junta troops, including a deputy commander, were killed, and six more were injured.”
Conclusion
Therefore, the claim that the footage shows a clash between UPDF (Prasit) and JSS (Santu) in Panchhari, Khagrachari is false. It actually depicts a confrontation between Myanmar’s junta forces and rebel groups.
Sources
- မောင် – Facebook Post
- DVB – Archived Report
- Myaung Rangers Force -MRF – Facebook Post
