Kachin State — The Military Council launched attacks on the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) 9th Brigade Headquarters and also at A Nang Pa, resulting in several fatalities and injuries among high-ranking KIA officers.
On October 16, at approximately 4:30 p.m., the Junta carried out an airstrike on the KIA's 9th Brigade, utilizing three jet fighters from the Myitkyina Air Force Base. Simultaneously, artillery shells were fired from the Ginsi military hill-based camp towards A Nang Pa. These attacks resulted in casualties, according to sources with close ties to the KIA.
"The 9th Brigade base and A Nang Pa were simultaneously targeted in the attack. Three jet fighters conducted five bombings on the 9th Brigade base. They also come under artillery fire from the Ginsi military hill-based camp towards the A Nang Pa golf course.," as reported by a Hpakant local individual with close ties to the KIA.
A high-ranking officer was killed in the attack on the 9th KIA Brigade headquarters, and four others were injured. Sources have also reported that two officers were killed in the attack on A Nang Pa, while another officer suffered the loss of his leg.
"To the best of our knowledge there have been five reported casualties in the 9th Brigade , encompassing both fatalities and injuries. However we lack specific details regarding the extent of injuries sustained by other personnel.In ANang Pa, artillery shells struck the market, suggesting the possibility of local casualties," stated a local resident.
According to the Kachin News Group's investigation, there were a total of 10 casualties, which includes both lower ranks and high-ranking KIA officers, due to the attack on A Nang Pa and the 9th Brigade. However, these findings have not yet been confirmed by the officials.
A Nang Pa golf course was also struck by artillery shells, resulting in fatalities among both KIA officers and civilians.
"I don't have the specific names, but we can confirm that two officers were among the casualties. One of them lost a leg. These incidents occurred at the golf course. We don't have further information about the other enlisted individuals. This is the extent of our knowledge at the moment," mentioned another Hpakant resident with close ties to the KIA regarding the attack on A Nang Pa.
On October 23, 2022, an airstrike resulted in the tragic deaths of over 60 civilians who were preparing to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the KIO.
On October 23 of this year as the officials were in the process of conducting a land-clearing and condolence prayer service for the deceased, they faced another attack.
"This happened once again as we were making arrangements to clear the area and hold a an anniversary prayer service at the site for those who passed away last year were buried. We received word that the military launched an attack upon hearing the news," shared a Hpakant local.
The Kachin News Group has been attempting to reach KIO information officer Colonel Naw Bu regarding this issue, but as of now, we have not succeeded in establishing contact with him.
On the night of October 9, the Military Council carried out an airstrike on the village of Mung Lai Hkyet, located in close proximity to the KIO headquarters in Laiza, killing 29 Mung Lai Hkyet IDPs and injuring 57 others.
