The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) frontline sources confirmed that a joint operation by KIA and Kachin People’s Defense Force (KPDF) against advancing military forces in Lawa village, Hpakant Township, resulted in 13 casualties among military council troops and the capture of one soldier alive. During the battle that occurred on May 1, both military council soldiers and their affiliated militia members were killed, while the remaining troops retreated from Lawa village to Prayer Mountain.
As the fleeing military council forces attempted to escape, the combined forces of KIA and KPDF pursued them, managing to capture one soldier alive and successfully taking control of Prayer Mountain. Since April 24, military council forces numbering in the hundreds have been advancing toward Hpakant from Moekaung and Karmine areas, leading to the closure of all roads in the region. Intense fighting broke out along the Myitkyina-Moekaung-Karmine route and around the Hydrodam village area.
Additionally, battles erupted around the Hopin-Indawgyi road section as military council forces launched offensive operations, during which they conducted airstrikes. The revolutionary forces are taking special care to prevent harm to local civilians’ lives and property. The allied forces fighting alongside the KIA include the Kukki National Army (Burma) KNAB, KIA Gorkha forces, All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF), KPDF, People’s Defense Force (PDF), and Naga forces.
