KIA, PDF Seize SAC Camps in Jade Land
By Network Media Group
Monday, January 8, 2024
Kachin soldiers captured two camps from the military regime in the jade-rich Hpakant Township in Kachin State, prompting the junta to retaliate with airstrikes.
Following the seizure of a Burma army camp and police station in Huay Hkar by Kachin Independence Army and People’s Defence Force, a State Administration Council (SAC) jet fighter dropped bombs and unleashed machine gun fire from the aircraft on the evening of January 6.
“A jet fighter flew over the military camp three times and dropped bombs on the Huay Hkar hilltop camp on its first pass. On the second and third pass, the jet fighter sprayed the camp with machine gun fire until 9:30 am,” a local man, requesting anonymity, told NMG.
Residents were trapped inside the village during the clash, and some houses were damaged by the airstrike. The source had no information on casualties.
Another anonymous local source mentioned that it was the first time a jet fighter targeted the township with a machine gun attack. He also said: “They dropped a big bomb today!” He suspects they retaliated in full force because they lost the police station and Huay Hkar strategic camp.
The fighting began at 4 am. Subsequently, the SAC began shelling Huay Hkar village with artillery and initiated the airstrike at 9 am. Thousands of people have fled to safety, but NMG couldn’t determine their whereabouts at press time.
The resistance fighters also captured the Nam Tein camp on the Myitkyina – Hpakant road on the same day, but details regarding casualties on both sides remain unknown.
