SHAN STATE – A battle took place between Pekhon and Pinlaung in southern Shan State during which the junta council carried out airstrikes, according to local military news sources.
Joint forces of junta council and PNO militia that launched an offensive towards Karenni State via Pinlaung are reportedly trying to break into Pekhon.
“There are battles almost every day. The fighting got worse yesterday (September 30). A fighter jet bombed Naungwo this afternoon,” said the Karenni source.
It is said that around 300 junta and PNO forces that began their offensive in the second week of September advanced towards the villages of Tarutmu, Lwelwon and Naungwo via Banmauk Village in Pinlaung Township.
Alongside 1111 Operation that began last year in Karenni State, the Karenni coalition forces attacked and captured the junta outposts and supply camps in Mobye and Pekhon Regions.
“You can say two paths are being formed. First, junta forces tried to enter Karenni State via Hsihseng in June. Now they are trying to break through another path via Pinlaung towards the Pekhon and Mobye route. It could be to reconnect with the blocked off local (junta) forces or to recapture territories lost during Operation 1111,” said an official from the Karenni coalition.
There are casualties on both sides in the battles at Karenni a
