Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Kachin People's Defense Force (KPDF) joint forces launched an attack on a military communications camp in Shwegu Township, resulting in the confiscation of weapons and ammunition.
On October 18, the 12th Battalion of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the
Shwegu District-Kachin People's Defense Force (KPDF) jointly launched an attack on the Military Council's communication camp located near Ngar Bat Gyi village in Shwegu Township, Kachin State, using artillery shells and small arms.
According to a KPDF official, one Military Council soldier was killed in the attack, and weapons and ammunition were confiscated. "We launched an attack on a military communication camp which was where soldiers from two battalions where stationed to protect it.”
The communication camp of the Military Council is located just 2 furlongs away from Ngar Bat Gyi village and approximately 1 mile from Shwegu township.
It is reported that the camp hosts approximately 60 soldiers since it functions as a joint station for soldiers from two battalions: Light Infantry Battalion 602 and Infantry Battalion 56, both under the Military Council.
"We initiated the attack with artillery shells and small arms, and then proceeded with a raid, so it is likely they sustained casualties. During the camp raid, we discovered one weapon, a significant quantity of ammunition, and one deceased soldier. The remaining injured soldiers sought refuge in the Ngar Bat Gyi monastery before retreating," stated the KPDF official.
After the attack, Military Council troops in Shwegu Township engaged in indiscriminate shelling of their communication camp with artillery, which resulted in a house in Ngar Bat Gyi village being hit and causing an injury to one of the residents.
"Firing artillery shells is their usual procedure. They also used artillery from the town during the attack. In response, Myo Hla-KPDF conducted drone bombings targeting the area where the artillery shells were launched. Also on the night of October 19, indiscriminate artillery shell fire occurred," according to a local source.
"On the day of the battle, there were reports of a civilian sustaining injuries when an artillery shell fired by the military landed on a residence in the ward. However, we have not been able to conduct an on-site investigation to determine the extent of the injuries and the damage inflicted by the military's artillery shells," the source stated regarding the incident.
Residents reported that following the attack on the Military Council's communication camp on October 18, the military continued to shell the communities with artillery until the night of October 19.
The communication camp that was captured serves as the primary base for the Military Council's troops. Following its capture, KIA and KPDF joint forces seized one MA 11 weapon, mines, ammunition, and food supplies. It has been reported that there were no casualties among KIA and KPDF during the attack.
Military Council troops from the communication camp, where both the Light Infantry Battalion 602 and Infantry Battalion 56 were jointly stationed, carried out military operations against 12 villages in Shwegu Township for a duration of 19 days. These operations involved the use of artillery shells, small arms fire, and arson attacks on civilian homes.
