KACHIN STATE – It was reported that KIA and PDF joint forces attacked one of the junta main security gates in Hpakant Town, Pantin Bridge Gate, and that the junta troops reportedly suffered many casualties.
The joint KIA and PDF forces attacked the Pantin gate between Lonekhin and Hpakant at around 1:15 a.m. on July 21.
“This gate has about 40 to 60 manpower including police and soldiers. Many locals are arrested and inspected at this gate from time to time. We raided that gate and the firefight ended at around 2:15 a.m.,” said a member of the People’s Defence Forces.
The gate is the one where the troops of Police Battalion 28 and Military Council Division 33 are stationed. A source close to the KIA reported that the junta side suffered a lot in the fight against the KIA-PDF alliance force.
“Two officers from their side were hit and a lot of soldiers were also hit. We still can’t get close. Five junta cars are there,” an informant reported on the situation (near the junta gate) at around 3 p.m.
During the clash, the junta forces from the tactical hill fired heavy artilleries, and thus the resistance forces withdrew in anticipation of civilian causalities. The junta heavy shellings reached the Drinking Water Production Factory, on the road to Mhawon General Hospital in Hpakant Township and reportedly injured some workers, according to locals.
Some locals also reported that junta troops were blocking the road and inspecting near Pantin gate on the same night after the attack.