A Military Council convoy, abducting the residents of Hseng Hpa Yar village situated along Myitkyina-Hpakant Road in Kachin State to use them as human shields, was intercepted, resulting in the death of one civilian and six others being injured.

On April 18th at approximately 5:00 AM, a Military Council column raided Hseng Hpa Yar village and took roughly 50 individuals, including women and children, who were transported on two 12-wheelers and a Land Cruiser to Hpakant. The convoy was attacked by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) with landmines near Gat Nwe (Pya Ohn) village, a Hseng Hpa Yar villager told KNG.

"The news of the convoy being attacked by a landmine near the village edge is accurate. Sadly, one of the detainees died on the spot due to the attack. The locals who were captured were intermingled with the Military Council soldiers and transported together. The KIA mistook them for soldiers and launched the attack, resulting in the death of a civilian. The convoy consisted of around 50 arrested individuals who were being taken to Hpakant”, the villager said.

In the mine attack on the convoy, a 28-year-old named Indwap Sai Neu Mia was killed, and a 14-year-old child suffered severe, life-threatening injuries.

The severely injured child was quickly transported to Myitkyina Hospital for urgent medical attention, while the other five injured individuals, who are in stable condition, are receiving treatment at Hpakant.

When the Military Council passed through Hseng Hpa Yar on their way to Hpakant, they arrested dozens of villagers to be used as human shields, most of whom were women. Fortunately, almost all of the villagers were released later in the afternoon by the soldiers.

The Military Council conducted a raid on Hseng Hpa Yar village, accusing it of being under the control of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), forcing the villagers to flee in fear for their safety.