After the Kathaing Taung base near Nammaw Village, Hpakant Township, Kachin State was captured, locals have reported that the military carried out airstrikes, leaving nearly 600 residents trapped.
An activist affiliated with the KIA in the Hpakant region stated that around 3:00 pm of August 8, Military Council troops dropped 4 bombs from a jet fighter toward Kathaing Taung, where the base had been seized, on the morning of the same day.
"Starting at 3pm yesterday, a jet fighter has been carrying out bombing missions, releasing around 4-5 bombs in that area. The decision to target Kathaing Taung is likely due to the presence of a considerable number of wounded Military Council troops who escaped into the forest after the battle for the base captured this morning. It appears they have launched this operation to provide protection and assistance to their trapped forces."
Residents from Kathaing Taung village have reported that over 600 local people are currently trapped within the Hpakant region. This situation arises from the ongoing airstrikes targeting Kathaing Taung and the heightened military tensions between the military and the KIA.
"We have no way to escape. The KIA troops have advised us that when the warplanes appear, we should seek shelter beneath the mountain or at the forest's edge. The ongoing intense military situation on both sides has left us stranded and unable to leave," shared a resident of Kathaing Taung village.
Due to the ongoing conflict, the residents of Kathaing Taung village had intended to relocate to Tarma Khan village. However, the two armed groups prevented their departure, resulting in those who remained in the village seeking refuge in the trenches of the Kathaing Taung monastery and houses.
"I wish to find a safer place to go, but all the entrances and exits have been blocked, leaving me unable to leave," expressed a villager who preferred to remain anonymous.
Furthermore, over 400 civilians from the surrounding areas of Nammaw village are presently seeking shelter in a monastery located in Hmaw Shan village, Hsengtaung village-tract.
A resident from Hawngpar expressed that the communities in Nammaw, Tarma Khan, and Hawngpar are filled with apprehension and remain vigilant in response to the airstrikes conducted by the Military Council troops.
"At present, the atmosphere seems relatively peaceful. Nevertheless, we've been alerted about two warplanes incoming from Tada-U, leading to a feeling of unease among us," she conveyed.
Residents further mentioned that aside from the military council's airstrikes on Kathaing Taung, the Hpakant hill-based camp, along with other hill-based camps, is also launching artillery shell attacks.
In the course of the battle on August 8, a military-launched artillery shell landed at the outskirts of the village and detonated. This incident led to a mother and her son being struck by shrapnel from the artillery shell, resulting in injuries, as reported by residents.
