The military council bombed Hseng Tawng village in Hpakant Township, Kachin State, with two fighter jets at around 1 pm on 12 September, amid ongoing fighting, resulting in many houses being destroyed by fire, according to the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO).
The KIO also stated that the junta’s airstrikes could result in civilian casualties.
Colonel Naw Bu, the KIO’s information officer, said, “We received reports that the Hseng Tawng police station was captured around 6am. As a result, the military is shelling the area with heavy weapons and carrying out airstrikes on Hseng Tawng. Many houses are being destroyed by fire. As the airstrikes are targeting the village itself, there’s a high possibility of civilian casualties.”
Residents report that after the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and allied forces captured the Hseng Tawng police station around 6am, the junta indiscriminately shelled the village from their Hpakant strategic hill. Around 1pm, two fighter jets also conducted bombing raids.
Having completely captured the Hseng Tawng police station, the KIA and allied forces are reportedly besieging junta soldiers trapped inside the Lucky Man Hotel in Hseng Tawng village, where fighting continues, the residents added.
The military’s bombing raid primarily targeted Ward 4 of Hseng Tawng village and the area below Hseng Tawng Bridge, which caused destruction of many residential houses by fire. Local residents fear that there could be civilian casualties.
Colonel Naw Bu said that as of 3pm, it was difficult to determine the full extent of civilian casualties and property damage due to the ongoing clashes between the two sides in Hseng Tawng village.
Local sources report that the KIA and allied forces continue to besiege about 20 junta soldiers trapped inside the Lucky Man Hotel, where fighting has been ongoing for nearly a week. Ground battles between the two sides also continue.
The fighting in Hseng Tawng escalated after 5 September, when the military, using three columns, attempted to encircle and attack KIA and People’s Defense Force (PDF) troops at the Lucky Man Hotel, leading to the current intense fighting between the two armies.
Sent by KNG.
