The military council arrested 10 civilians after the clash with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in the KIA’s Brigade-9 territory in Haungpar village in Hpakant Township of Kachin State on the morning of 11 September, according to locals.
“The military council troops stationed in Tarmakhan village in Hpakant entered the village at around 5 am by firing heavy shells as they got the news that the KIA and the People’s Defense Force (PDF) were present in Haungpar village. The combined force of the KIA and the PDF fired back at the junta troops. An exchange of fire took place for around 40 minutes,” a local woman from Haungpar village said.
This is the military column of more than 80 soldiers, which entered Tarmakhan village on 8 September. On the morning of 11 September, the military column of 50 soldiers conducted the offensive into Haungpar village, according to locals.
“Now I don’t hear the sounds of heavy shells. The KIA and PDF returned fire before the military column reached Haungpar village. Soldiers did not reach the village. They arrested 10 civilians found on the road as human shields and then withdrew,” a local man who declined to be named said.
The military council force fired at least 10 rounds of heavy shells into Haungpar village. The military council’s shells hit and destroyed the roof of a monastery and other buildings in Haungpar village, locals said.
Since the military council’s offensive, residents have fled to forests. Most of the children and women are taking refuge in Haungpar monastery.
Sent by KNG