A fierce battle has been ongoing for five days between the combined forces of the military council and militia groups and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Lagway village, Pang War, Kachin State, according to KIA front-line sources.
Military tensions in the Pang War area have persisted for about a week since the KIA captured the Lagway militia camp, which housed the military council and militia forces, in early September.
The fighting remains intense as the militia forces have launched counter-offensives against the Lagway militia camp, which was captured by the KIA following the loss of the camp, according to KIA front-line sources.
“Fighting has resumed in Lag Way village in Pang War. Fighting occurs due to a counter-offensive by the junta and militia force. The junta is targeting KIA’s Battalion-7 with heavy shelling, said the KIA front-line source.
Fighting is taking place on two military fronts as the military council force and militia force attacked the KIA’s Brigade-7 in Hpare with drone equipped with heavy weapons, on 9 September, the front-line source said.
Local sources reported that the militia force led by U Za Khone Taint Yein of Kachin Special Region-1, along with the border guard force, lost control of the Lagway militia camp.
In response, they have launched counter-offensives as the KIA and allied forces intensify their military activities in the Pang War area.
Residents reported that, previously, Chi Phwe and Pang War—areas primarily controlled by the border guard and militia forces—experienced relatively little fighting. However, since mid-2024, there has been a notable increase in clashes with the KIA and allied forces.
Regarding the fighting in Pang War, a Chi Phwe resident commented, “The fighting is likely to become more intense. There is a strategically important military camp in the area, and the militia forces are mobilizing their strength. I believe this is just the beginning of the battle. They have been monitoring each other for a long time, and in my view, the conflict has only just begun.”
Due to the fighting in the Pang War region, there are reports of gunshots near the Chinese border, and on the other hand, the Chinese government is demanding no gunshots.
Currently, due to ongoing fighting in the Pang War area, local officials are engaged in meetings and negotiations. However, details of these discussions have not yet been made available.
On 7 July, residents said that militia leader U Za Khone Taint Yein has given “military orders” to attack the KIA and PDFs in areas controlled by border guard and militia forces in Chi Phwe, Pang War and Kanpiketi.
Sent by KNG
