The deaths occurred after Burmese forces fired a series of 81 mm mortar rounds at Maw Mau Bum - a Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) controlled village, located about 3 miles west of Hpakant (or Hpakan, Phakant).  Kala Tu Awng, 31, Magawng Naw San, 30 and Gumraw Tang Gun, 33, were fatally wounded by the shelling, according to a relative of one of the deceased, who spoke with the Kachin News Group (KNG).

Two KIO officers stationed in the village were also killed by the shelling. In addition to the deaths, three other villagers were injured, including a 17- year- old male. The villagers are getting treatment at a hospital nearby.

On Oct. 16, government troops shelled the village twice, but no-one was injured, according to villagers. It appeared the Burmese army was targeting Kachin Independence Army (KIA) Lt-Col Nhkum Zau Doi, as most of the shells landed near his house. Nhkum Zau Doi is the commander for the Hpakant area.

Kachin resistance forces based in Hpakant have not yet retaliated to the attack at Maw Mau Bum. KIA units in Hpakant have been instructed to stop carrying out attacks on government positions since last week, when the government sent the KIO a letter requesting another round of peace talks, according to a KIA soldier stationed in Hpakant.  In the letter, they suggested meeting in the government-controlled Muse, in northern Shan state, or Ruili, China, for the next round of talks. But it’s still unclear, which city the meeting will take place.

Currently, KIO senior leadership is preparing for the upcoming peace talks, according to an official in the Laiza headquarters.

Meanwhile, Burmese military forces units are taking advantage of the lull in fighting that have accompanied the previous round of peace talks to reinforce their front line positions, according to the KIO.