All of those who were injured are from Nbala Hka located near the Maw Mau Layang jade mine. Two of the boys are brothers and ethnic Kachin. The third boy whose injuries appear to be the most serious is ethnic Shan. All three of the boys have been sent to a hospital in Hpakant town (also Hpakan or Phakant) for treatment.

The shells appeared to have been fired from the military's Strategic Command base located on a hill top near Hpakant town. Over the past few weeks the army has repeatedly fired shells from the base targeting the Kachin Independence Army (KIA)’s Battalion 6 positions in Maw Mau Bum, according to villagers. At least five rounds of shells were fired on Friday from the base including those that hit Nbala Hka village.

Myanmar armed forces also launched shells at other KIA’s Battalion 6 positions in the Hpakant region, including Lamawng Kawng and Seng Ja Bum, according to a KIA officer currently serving on the front line.

Despite the heavy shelling no KIA personnel were injured at Lamawng Kawng or Seng Ja Bum.  These shells appear to have been fired from government positions near the Myauk Phyu jade mine.

The Hpakant district is the world's only commercially viable source of true jadeite.  Heavy fighting to control the lucrative area has been ongoing since May.

According to the UN's latest estimation, about 10,000 people have been displaced by the fighting in the Hpakant area over the past few months.