The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) took complete control of Light Infantry Battalion-298, the final battalion in Hsawlaw in Chipwi District in Kachin State on 2 October.
Since 29 September, the KIA and allied forces resumed their offensive against LIB-298. Four days later, they successfully captured the battalion, according to a KIA frontline source.
Colonel Naw Bu, spokesperson of the KIO said: “On 1 October, the KIA took complete control of Chipwi. The KIA seized full control of Hsawlaw at around 7 am on 2 October (today). While it’s still challenging to provide detailed information from the ground, there is ongoing resistance from the military council in two of the areas that were seized.”
On 2 October, the KIA sezied full control of Hsawlaw. On 29 September, the KIA and allied forces took complete control of all areas including the police station and military hill camp in Chipwi, Colonel Naw Bu said.
KIA frontline sources said the military council suffered heavy losses in the Hsawlaw battle. The KIA seized a large quantity of arms and ammunition. However, it remains difficult to ascertain the situation in detail.
Around March, the KIA and allied forces launched a battle to capture Hsawlaw. In April, the KIA and allied forces successfully seized three military camps.
On 11 April, the KIA and allied forces captured the Myawmaw militia camp located about five miles from Hsawlaw as well as Myaw Zan Ku BGF logistics camp.
By 16 April, the KIA had captured some camps and more than five BGF camps in Hsawlaw. Six days later, following a lull in the fighting, the KIA took control of LIB-298 in Hsawlaw.
Chipwi and Hsawlaw, captured by the KIA and allied forces, are situated within the territories of KIA’s Brigade-1 and Brigade-2. These camps are of significant military importance for Pang War, which hosts active mining sites.
According to a KIA frontline source, Hsawlaw Township is currently free from military council forces, military-backed BGF, and militia forces.
“The battle to capture Hsawlaw took four days. At around 7 am today, they took complete control of all camps. It can be said that the entire Hsawlaw area has been captured. There are no more army forces here,” he said.
On 29 and 30 September, prior to the capture of Hsawlaw Township, the border guard force and militia, led by Zahkung Ting Ying (also known as S’Khon Tein Yein), primarily controlled the town. The KIA and allied forces have now taken full control of Chipwi.
Military analysts say that following the KIA and allied forces’ capture of both Chipwi and Hsawlaw just one day apart, they are advancing toward Pang War, where a rare earth mining site is located.
Sent by KNG