KACHIN STATE – As fighting intensified between the KIA led revolutionary forces and the junta subordinate BGF forces in Panwah, people who tried to flee the area were blocked at the border gate by Chinese authorities, reported the residents.
After KIA further captured the Chanyinkhu Outpost and two outposts of BGF battalion 1003 in Panwah and Kanpaiti Regions, fighting spread to near the town of Panwah, causing its residents to flee. However, China has blocked them starting October 17 morning, according to KIA sources and residents.
Chanyinkhu Outpost is six miles away from Panwah and the two BGF outposts are around seven miles from Kanpaiti. All three were completely captured by KIA on October 17.
“The battles have spread to near Panwah Town. The people are preparing to flee the town, both men and women. The China side didn’t say anything but shut down the gate. There are now around 500 people blocked there. Some went back and said they would return when the gate opened. Others chose to wait near the gate even though it turned dark. They are still there,” said a local news source.
Meanwhile, a KIA source said that the “Chanyinkhu Outpost, around six miles from Panwah, was captured. The base of BGF battalion 1003 is still not seized. Only two outposts surrounding it were captured. The BGF battalion is near Shainkyein Village, around seven miles from Kanpaiti. Those three outposts were captured. The BGF 1003 is yet to be captured. The battle is still intense.”
