Residents say that junta soldiers are chasing and arresting displaced locals to use them as human shields after the Border Guard Force (BGF) and militia members abandoned Kanpiketi in Kachin State.
The military council has deployed approximately 500 personnel to prevent the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) from taking control of Kanpiketi. They are preparing for defense, while also arresting displaced locals seeking refuge near the town, a local man from Kanpiketi said.
“The military council has to rely on the BGF. I think they’re struggling now that the BGF and militia forces have abandoned the town. As a result, the military council is urging displaced people to return home, but none of the militia members have come back. Instead, they are chasing and arresting youths, middle-aged men, and the elderly,” the local resident added.
Following the capture of the No. 1003 Border Guard Force (BGF) battalion in Sin Kyaing village near Kanpiketi, nearly all members of the BGF and militia forces abandoned the town, residents report.
In light of these circumstances, junta soldiers have urged displaced locals to return to the town to be used as human shields during ongoing fighting. The military council is chasing locals of all ages, he continued.
Residents reported that junta soldiers have threatened to burn down churches if displaced locals and fleeing BGF members do not return to the town.
Currently, there are approximately 400-500 junta soldiers in Kanpiketi. The military council soldiers are pursuing locals to arrest them as human shields, fearing that the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and allied forces may launch an attack, according to a local resident.
“Junta soldiers themselves know that the KIA has deployed its troops around Kanpiketi. They are very afraid that the KIA soldiers will enter. So, they use civilians as human shields. There have been no clashes so far. People are already in a very threatened situation.”
Currently, some civilians have been arrested, and the junta soldiers have threatened to arrest women as well, he continued.
There are approximately 400-500 junta soldiers in Kanpiketi, including existing troops, soldiers who fled into China and returned due to the battle to capture Pang War, those escaping from Sadone, and reinforcements sent by helicopter.
In September and October, the KIA and allied forces have attacked and captured Chiphwi, Pang War, Tsawlaw, Lu Pi and Sin Kyaing, areas previously controlled by the people’s militia and border guard force led by U Zahkung Ting Ying.
According to ground sources, only the No. 1001 Battalion in Phi Maw and Chan Maw Khone remain under the control of the militia and BGF.
Sent by KNG