In Kachin State, certain offices operated by the Military Council and the Local Defense Forces have been engaged in a series of targeted raids against each other, leading to significant casualties.
On the night of June 20th, a targeted raid took place in Seikmu (Saitaung) Ward No. 3 of Hpakant Township. The administrative office, established by the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and its armed wing, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), was attacked, resulting in the loss of three lives and injuring two individuals.
"Last night, at approximately 10:00 PM, there was a shooting incident at the KIA administrative office in Seikmu Ward No. 3. As per the information I received, there have been reports of arrests, although the specifics are unclear at this time. Tragically, three individuals lost their lives, while two others sustained injuries. Eyewitnesses familiar with the incident have described it as an armed raid targeting the office. Presently, the situation has returned to a state of calm”, a local reported to NMG on June 21st.
The office was raided by the coup Military Council and the office building was also set ablaze, he added.
Coinciding with the targeted attack on the KIA's administrative office, the Military Council imposed a mandatory lockdown, strictly confining residents to their homes.
"This office served as a vital entity responsible for resolving disputes within the local community. It is disheartening to witness not only the office being raided but also set ablaze, further exacerbating the situation. Disturbingly, reports indicate that some residents in the vicinity were arrested, and there were even accounts of individuals being fatally shot. The imposed order by the Military Council had compelled nearby residents to remain indoors, discouraging any attempts to investigate further. Furthermore, there were individuals trapped within the ward when the shootout occurred. While it is confirmed that numerous office workers have been apprehended, the exact count remains unknown”, a local recounted.
The current status of those who were arrested during the incident remains uncertain.
In an act of retaliation on June 21st, People's Defense Force (PDF) fighters launched a mortar attack on the police station in Mohnyin Township, where a curfew order had been enforced.
"There is a private school in Mohnyin known as Lu Yay Chun. Two individuals on a motorcycle arrived in front of the school and proceeded to discharge three or four rounds from portable artillery. A few shells also landed within the police station compound. The loud explosions startled the residents, causing them to hastily seek shelter inside their homes”, a local woman told NMG.
The exact extent of damage and injuries resulting from the attack is currently unknown.
On June 20th, surprise checks were carried out by the Military Council on pedestrians and passing vehicles in the town of Kamaing, located in Hpakant.
Since June 15th, Sezin village in Hpakant has been experiencing military tension between the Military Council and Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) on one side, and the joint forces of the KIA and PDF on the other side. As a result, several roads in the area remain blocked, causing hardships for the local population.
Furthermore, on May 12th, in the volatile environment of Saitaung, Hpakant Township, characterized by escalating arrests and shootings, a KIA officer and two hotel staff members tragically lost their lives when they were mercilessly gunned down by the Military Council troops.
