A drone operated by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) bombed a 30-strong Military Council unit, while they were inspecting the pedestrians and vehicles at a crossroad in Sai Ra (Ywa Thit) village around 1:00PM on November 28, a Hpakant resident told KNG.
The Military Council soldiers who were carrying out strictly inspections on the public, suffered a bombing attack by a drone, injuring at least 6 soldiers in Sai Ra village in Lone Khin (Lawng Hkang) village tract of Hpakant township, Kachin state.
“Yesterday in Sai Ra, soldiers set up chairs as a makeshift checkpoint and started inspections. Two hours later, PDF and KIA forces attacked them with a drone. They withdrew at once after being attacked, and fled straight back to Hpakant. We know that 6 soldiers were injured”, he said.
The Military Council troops in a state of panic, opened fire arbitrarily on the nearby civilians with small arms before retreating to Hpakant.
The source told KNG, “ Almost immediately after being attacked, they ran away. Investigations are very tight and harsh these days. It looks like they are looking for something, or someone. They are checking people by matching them with their phones. But we haven’t heard of any arrests yet”.
In Hpakant, it has become normal for the Military Council to conduct strict inspections at traffic intersections.
A car carrying the Military Council troops suffered a landmine attack, and follow-up shootouts took place between Karenchaung and Thaung Kawt villages in Hpakant township last week, and subsequently military tension is rising in the region.
