KACHIN STATE – Kachin Independence Army (KIA) attacked the junta convoy heading towards Namsanyang in Waingmaw from Dawthponeyan in Moemauk Township on September 10 afternoon, causing casing damage and an ammunition truck to explode and go up in flames, reported the locals.
The junta council has reportedly been firing heavy artillery shells into the surroundings since the morning so the convoy could leave Dawthponeyan, and the convoy left for Namsanyang in the morning.
“KIA fired heavy weapons (at the junta convoy) at Khayaryan. It hit the ammunition truck. It is burning and exploding right now. There were 25 vehicles in the convoy. The truck was hit around 12 p.m. It is still burning now,” a local said at 2 p.m. on September 10.
Photos sent by the locals show junta vehicles on the road, one of which is burning in the back with smoke coming out. “The heavy artillery ammunition in the truck keeps bursting into explosions,” said the local.
The attacked junta convoy originally came from Bahmo and three of the vehicles were damaged when it was attacked by KIA before it reached Dawthponeyan. The locals said that it was probably why the junta troops fired heavy artillery into the town.
Junta forces shelled Dawthponeyan past 8 p.m. on September 9. The shells landed and exploded in the school compound, injuring two teachers, and the school building was also damaged.
The junta council has been launching offensives into Namsanyang, located near Laiza, the KIA headquarters, since early July and has been suffering heavy losses due to attacks and interceptions by the KIA.