Residents said that Military Council troops are preparing to build a strategic military base in Indaw township, which is currently under martial law at the Kachin-Sagaing border.

According to an anonymous resident, the strategic military base will be constructed approximately 2 miles away from Indaw Township, and 1 mile away from Nankin Village on a small hill known as Chinkone Hill.

This location is considered to geographically strategic.

“That area is spacious with dense forests and is geographically central to the surrounding region. This is the reason why the Military Council is planning to construct a strategic military base in the area for long-term preparedness and deployment,” said a local.

Following the military coup, Indaw Township, situated on the Sagaing-Kachin border, has been the site of frequent clashes between the Military Council troops and the joint forces of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the People’s Defense Force (PDF). Military convoys of the Military Council troops en route to Kachin state in the upper Sagaing region, continue to face frequent attacks from the KIA and PDF forces.

According to reports, on March 11, the Military Council dispatched 46 military vehicles and approximately 500 troops from Madaya township in Mandalay to establish a strategic military base at Chinkone Hill. Local sources have confirmed that the troops are currently engaged in activities such as digging trenches and constructing sandbag bunkers at the site.

Prior to the coup, there was only one military base in Indaw Township. However local residents

have reported that following the coup, additional military checkpoints were established on the road to Indaw-Banmauk and at the exit of Indaw town. Furthermore, the military base at Chinkone Hill has been expanded, indicating an increase in military presence in the area.

Following the declaration of martial law in Indaw Township, security measures were intensified by the Military Council, and in February approximately 30 civilians were reported to have been arrested by the troops.

At present a large number of military forces have been sent to Indaw Township, and residents say that they are continuously conducting military operations through Banmauk, Katha, and Mogaung via Indaw Township.

“The military troops are stationed in Indaw and are conducting operations in all directions. They are also stationed at Chinkone Hill, and we see that they will move in the same way. Based on the latest information I have received, I understand that they are planning to build prisons on ChinkoneHill.”

Indaw is a township where there has been moderate fighting between the two sides since the coup, as well as a township where the revolutionary forces are strong.That’s why the Military Council announced martial law in 37 townships nationwide last February, including Indaw township.

Following the imposition of martial law in Indaw Township, the Military Council launched a crackdown on individuals believed to have links to the resistance forces. The construction of the strategic military base in the area has been viewed by the Local Defense Forces as a way for the Military Council to gain a military advantage in the region.

As Chinkone Hill is geographically central, a Local Defense Force official has expressed concerns that the construction of a tactical command center by the Military Council, could make it more difficult for the resistance forces to carry out their military activities in the region.

“ From that hill, they can monitor our movements from there, and use artillery shells against us. They are trying to gain a military advantage. So it may be a little difficult for us. Furthermore, they can station and deploy forces from there,” said an official of the Local Defense Force.

Locals have also reported that Chinkone Hill, the location chosen by the military council to build a tactical command center, is an area where the people of Nankin village rely on for cutting bamboo and collecting firewood from the hillside.

A resident said that the Military Council troops are currently preparing for the base that will be stationed at Chinkone Hill, as well as restricting the local people from traveling around Chinkone Hill, causing many difficulties for the local residents.

“A lot of us rely on collecting firewood and cutting bamboo on that hill to make a living. Some of us even grow fruit trees and other crops on that hill. We cannot go to many places now and it has become very difficult,”said a resident of Nankin Village.

Chinkone Hill, where the military is preparing to build a tactical command center, is located to the northeast of Indaw township and west of Indaw golf course.

Following the coup d’état, Military Council troops stationed at the Kamaing and Hpakant tactical command centers, indiscriminately shelled villages and neighborhoods where civilians resided.

As a result, many innocent people were killed by the artillery shells. An Indaw resident expressed concern that the military may engage in similar shelling tactics after completing construction of the tactical command center in their township.

“ We have witnessed and heard about the devastating effects of the tactical command centers in Hpakant and Kamaing. We fear that the construction of a similar facility in Indaw will lead to indiscriminate shelling with artillery. Local residents have also reported incidents of sexual violence committed by Military Council troops against women during military operations in Indaw Township.

However, the KNG news agency was unable to independently verify these reports.The women of Indaw are deeply worried about the safety of those living near the construction site of the tactical command center at Chinkone Hill.

The Military Council unit currently stationed in Indaw is the 312th Light Infantry Division, and the battalion that will be stationed in Chinkone Hill may be under the 88th Division, the Local Defense Force said.