Thousands of local residents are fleeing due to the continued aerial bombardment by the military council in Wekha village, Phakant Township of Kachin State, according to local residents.
On 6 January, the military council carried out constant artillery shelling and aerial bombardments after the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Kachin People’s Defence Force (KPDF) attacked and captured Wekha police station and a military base.
Most of the locals from Wekha have fled to Hsaingtaung village due to the military council’s indiscriminate shelling and aerial bombardments on the civilian areas, a local man from Hsaingtaung said.
“Since 6 January, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have arrived here. At present, they are accommodated in three places. All of them are from Wekhar and adjacent villages. There are around 1,000 IDPs here,” he continued.
On 8 January, the military council carried out an attack with a fighter jet, according to an official of Hpakant- KPDF.
“The military council carried out airstrikes in an attempt to protect the remaining camp. Only a fighter jet fired shots and then turned back. The fighter jet dropped bombs on the place where the KIA and PDF might be. However, there were no casualties,” the official of Hpakant- KPDF said.
Currently, the KIA and the KPDF captured Wekhar camp and a police station. The military council is carrying out aerial bombardments as there is still a military council camp that has a strong foothold, he said.
In addition to the aerial bombardments, the military council is constantly firing heavy shells into the battle area from Hsankywel and Hpakant strategic hill camp, according to the KPDF.
The Wekha IDPs have been fleeing towards Hsaingtaung village since the fighting which started on 6 January.
Hsaingtaung residents said that the number of displaced people in three days has reached over a thousand.
Currently, the IDPs are taking shelter in Taungpaw monastery, Hmawlyan monastery and the church.
On 6 January, the KIA simultaneously attacked and captured Namtain camp and a military camp in Wekhar village of Hpakant Township. Until now, tension continues to mount there.
Sent by KNG.