Guwahati: Myanmar’s opposition National Unity Government (NUG) has officially confirmed that the 10 individuals killed in the May 14 incident near the Indo-Myanmar border were members of its People’s Defence Organisation (PDO), a resistance group under its Ministry of Defence. The confirmation was issued in a statement by the NUG’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, days after the bodies were handed over by Indian security forces to Myanmar authorities at Border Pillar 62.The PDO or Pa Ka Pha, as they are known, plays an important role in Myanmar’s Spring Revolution – securing territorial domination, and maintaining internal security in areas under the control of People’s Defence Forces (PDF) fighting the military regime.“Based on preliminary findings, the Task Force (under NUG) has initiated engagement with relevant counterparts on the Indian side, and coordination efforts are ongoing to uncover the full truth…,” the statement read.Border Pillar 61 near New Samtal village, Chandel district, Manipur. Photo: By arrangement.The incident took place in Manipur’s Chandel district during what Indian authorities described as a “firefight” with “suspected cadres” near Border Pillar 61, approximately four to five kilometres from Jangnomphai village, deep inside the jungles. India shares a 1,643-kilometre border with Myanmar, with Manipur sharing 398 km of that stretch.Border Pillars 61 and 62 lie near the New Samtal area, encompassing the villages of Lajang, Aivomjang and Jangnomphai under the Khengjoi Sub-Division of Chandel district. According to sources familiar with the area, the site of the incident is situated about twenty kilometres from Khampat town in Myanmar’s Tamu District, Sagaing Region.‘Not insurgents’Sources told this correspondent that Indian authorities informed the Pa Kha Pha commander of Khampat town about the incident on May 14, and the bodies were handed over two days later. On May 18, a team from PDF Tamu had also visited the incident site, the sources added.Earlier, Indian defence authorities under the Eastern Command officially stated that troops came under heavy fire during a patrol and responded in a “precise and calibrated” manner. Weapons including AK-47 rifles, an RPG launcher, and assorted ammunition were recovered from the site.In its statement on May 20, the NUG said that the deceased PDO members were “temporarily” stationed at Kama Gyi village in Myanmar’s Sagaing Region. It alleged that its members were not killed in an armed encounter, but were “captured, tortured, and summarily executed” — despite prior notification of their presence in the area.The NUG ministry also expressed concern over a handover document signed during the body retrieval process, which allegedly included claims that the PDO members had “crossed into Indian territory and initiated hostilities”. It declared that the deceased were “not insurgents operating against the Government of India”.Seeking continued cooperation, the NUG requested New Delhi to “temporarily suspend” border fencing activities in areas with unresolved border demarcation.Sources, on condition of anonymity, had said that Myanmar resistance members were “opposing border fencing work” and had attempted to “lay an ambush against Assam Rifles personnel and labourers” in the area. This version of events is yet to be independently verified.Earlier confrontations resolved through talksSources said there have been previous border confrontations in the area involving Indian security forces and Myanmar resistance groups, including the lesser-known but powerful National League Army (NLA) based in Khampat area, and the Pa Ka Pha. However, those incidents had reportedly been resolved through negotiations.A day after the incident, sources had said that the deceased belonged to a Buddhist Burmese group with “temporary shelters inside Indian territory”. However, security sources said there was no camp of the PDO (Pa Ka Pha) inside Indian soil, but the cadres had made “several attempts” to set up a camp near Border Pillar 59.Through its statement, the NUG urged the Indian government to publicly clarify the incident, ensure accountability, and provide compensation to the families of the deceased. It also asked the Union government to implement safeguards to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.The Wire reached out to Indian officials for a comment regarding the matter. This report would be updated when a response is received.While reiterating that the killings do not reflect India’s official policy, the NUG called upon its citizens, both within Myanmar and in India, to refrain from actions that could negatively affect bilateral ties. It also sounded caution to revolutionary groups operating along the border, urging them to avoid any activity that may be perceived as unlawful.“We further call for continued cooperation with relevant authorities to uphold the rule of law, including efforts to prevent the illegal trade and transportation of narcotics along the Indo-Myanmar border,” the NUG ministry added.Indo-Myanmar border remains a viable option for drug traffickers. Security forces including counternarcotics police and paramilitary troops have constantly monitored the cross-border movement of contraband into the state.