The Myanmar Army has launched counterattacks to retake Khampat in Tamu District, Sagaing Region, and the Defense Alliance forces are also prepared.
An estimated 200 junta soldiers are on their way to Khampat and have reached Let Say Kan (Lake) in the east of Sawbwaryaeshin village, and both sides are on standby to clash at any time, said the commander of the 4th Brigade of the Chin National Organization – Upper Chindwin Region.
“It is not very close to Khampat, but quite far. We have asked the villagers not to go into the forests. We have taken precautions to prevent them from entering the town. But if they approach the town, clashes can happen anytime,” said the CNO-UCR commander.
The PDFs and allied forces had taken control of Khampat on the Kalay-Tamu road on 7 November.
According to reports, the military council is trying to recapture the town because Khampat is a strategically important border town for trade with India.
After news broke that the military council troops were advancing on Khampat, residents of some neighborhoods of Khampat and Nankhaukkhauk village fled their homes, a Khampat woman said.
“Some people have fled here and there because of the news. Those from ward 1 are fleeing to ward 2 and ward 3. Some are staying with relatives living near the forests and coming back in the morning,” the woman said.
Khampat has five large wards with an estimated 5,000 people, most of whom belong to the Chin ethnic group.
Sent by KMG.
