On Saturday, one soldier was killed and three others injured after an attack on a vehicle convoy traveling near Lagawng Kahtawng village located between the Mogaung ferry station and Lawa. According to resistance sources, the attack was led by troops from the Kachin Independence Army’s (KIA) battalion No. 14 under the command of the KIA’s Hugawng valley-based 2nd Brigade as well as by fighters from the People’s Army. The People’s Army is separate from the KIA and is led by a civilian command under the Kachin Independence Organization's Department of General Administration.

On Sunday, two more soldiers from the same military column were killed and many more injured after a mine planted by the KIA's Battalion 14 exploded. The government military convoy was travelling the famed Stillwell Road (also known as the Ledo Road). According to witnesses, the explosion took place on the Lawa to Dumbung section of the road near the Sai Lin Hka stream.

Eyewitnesses also reported that the bodies of two soldiers were buried near the stream while their injured colleagues were transported to Mogaung for treatment. Before they were moved, the wounded soldiers changed into civilian clothes, the witnesses said.

A source close to the Burmese army said that the attacked convoy had been on its way to help 5 injured Burmese soldiers who had survived a December 2 attack at Dai Kri.

During the Dai Kri attack, which occurred between Ma-U Pyin and Nam Ya in the Hpakant jade mining area, the Kachin resistance killed five soldiers and seized an assortment of guns and ammunition.

While fighting between the KIO and the Burmese army continues unabated, talks between the two sides remain ongoing. Late last month, representatives from the KIO met with Burmese government officials in both Thailand and China to discuss ending the six month old conflict.

The KIO leadership has repeatedly stated that it will not make a ceasefire unless it sees proof that a truce will be followed by meaningful political dialogue.