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KACHIN STATE – The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) clashed against junta council troops at around 5 a.m. on Thursday (July 13) near Dawthponeyan in Momauk Township.
The battle took place near Hkalaryang Village in Deingar Village Tract on the Myitkyina-Bhamo Road and a local resident reported hearing sounds of heavy artillery and gunfire.
“We couldn’t hear the sound of gunfire that well as the battle is across the mountain. But we heard at least ten rounds of heavy artillery fired although I can’t recall well. They (junta forces) were firing from the direction of Dawthponeyan. They marched from Dawthponeyan the other day. They even asked around in the village for alcohol,” said the local resident.
He continued that the junta council troops standing guard on the road towards the site of the battle had abducted two civilians from Deingar Village.
“The junta troops guarding on the main road took away a man working at the stone crushing site and another elder from the village. It wasn’t that far from the village,” he said.
KIA sources stated that KIA Battalion 24 intercepted and attacked the junta reinforcements heading to Namsanyang Village and the battle continued till 7:30 a.m. on Thursday.
“I heard there were junta soldiers captured alive and that a large number of weapons were seized. There were also said to be casualties on our side,” said a source close to KIA.
After battles break out between the KIA and junta council at Namsanyang Village on the Myitkyina-Bhamo Road on July 3, the military tensions have been high in Laiza where KIA is headquartered and the junta council has been sending in continuous reinforcements.
Back on July 4, Laiza District Administration Office warned local civilians to take precautions for transportation and security as the junta council has been launching offensives in the district.