Hpukjawng Seng Du, 30 was arrested on July 31 by Burmese soldiers and then he was buried alive in the forest near the village by government soldiers, according to villagers.

According to villagers, the killing of Seng Du was committed by the Waingmaw-based Infantry Battalion No. 58, under Northern Regional Military Command (NC), in Myitkyina, and Hlaingbwe-based Light Infantry Battalion No. 338, under Mawlamyine-based South Eastern Regional Military Command (SEC).

Around 7 a.m. the same day government soldiers from the same Burmese military columns shot to death 17 year old Marip Tang at his home in the same village, added villagers.

Kahtan residents are fleeing to the town of Kamaing after the deaths- fearing more killing, villagers said.

Burmese soldiers from IB 58 arrested eight villagers in Kawng Ra, in Kamaing, as porters on July 30, to bury corpses, witnesses said.

During the ambush of KIA to Burmese convoy of Sarhmaw-based Infantry Battalion No. 105 on July 24, at Nga Pauk Kone in Kamaing, 4 soldiers were killed and around 10 were injured.

The areas around Kamaing on Namti-Hpakant route has become war zone between Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Burmese troops since the renewed fighting started on June 9.