KIA clash with Burma Army in Kutkai Township for two consecutive days

By Network Media Group
February 10, 2023

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) clashed with the Burma Army in Kutkai Township of northern Shan state for two consecutive days. A local person was wounded during the clash.

On 9 February, KIA troops engaged in a fire fight with Burma Army soldiers between Kutkai and Nam Phetka around 9:30 a.m. There were no casualties reported.

On 10 February, the KIA and Burma Army again clashed. The fighting lasted from around 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

“The Burma Army’s military column was travelling from Nam Khine village. When the column entered the vicinity of Hper Khit village, which is a Kachin village, a clash broke out between the KIA and Burma Army soldiers,” a man (source 1), who lives in Nam Phet Lun village and spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, told NMG.

Local people reported that during this clash the Burma Army attacked Nam Phet Lun village with artillery fire, hitting a civilian house and wounding an elderly man.

“A shell landed on a house and wounded an elderly man. When the 91-year-old was having breakfast, the shell hit his house and his back was hit by shrapnel. Thankfully it’s a minor injury. The shrapnel has already been removed from his back,” a female resident of Nam Phet Lun village (source 2) told NMG.

Local people said that even though clash was over around 10:30 a.m., the Burma Army continued sporadically firing artillery into the village.