The Kachin Independence Army (KIA), once again, has successfully captured another military base of the Military Council, with their latest operation targeting the base located in Pang Shi, southeast of Sezin village in Hpakant Township, Kachin State.
Despite the deployment of a substantial number of soldiers from the Military Council and allied Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) at Pang Shi Base, their efforts to halt KIA's attack and prevent the capture of the base around 3:00 PM on August 10th were ultimately unsuccessful, a KIA source said.
During the battle, KIA successfully eliminated a significant number of Military Council and SNA troops, seized a massive quantity of weapons and ammunition, and incinerated the base's huts and tents, the source added.
Initially under KIA control, Pang Shi had been jointly occupied by the Military Council and SNA since December last year.
Reports indicate that numerous casualties were inflicted upon the Military Council and SNA forces, with many reported dead and others fled during the conflict in Pang Shi; however, KNG has not yet verified these claims.
Pang Shi is a region where the 26th Battalion, operating under KIA's 9th Brigade, is mainly active.
On August 7th, KIA seized control of an SNA camp located near the suspension bridge close to Sezin village, followed by the successful capture of the Kathaingtaung Base in Nammaw village, Hpakant.
Following the takeover of the Military Council and SNA camps around Hpakant, the military dynamics in the area have grown increasingly strained, with the Military Council launching airstrikes against the targets of KIA's 6th Battalion.
Photo caption - KIA soldiers advancing at an undisclosed frontline location