According to KIA military sources, three civilians including a child were killed due to artillery fire by military council forces as intense fighting continues in Hpakant Township, Kachin State. On the morning of August 4, military forces from Hpakant Army Hill fired artillery into North Phyu village, killing two civilians including a child and wounding five others. Similarly, artillery fire on Shalacha village resulted in injuries to two more civilians. The previous evening on August 3, artillery strikes by military forces from Hpakant Army Hill on San Gyi village wounded four civilians, while artillery fire on Shalacha village on August 2 killed one civilian.
The military council has positioned forces at Maw Si Za Pagoda Hill in an attempt to regain control of Hpakant city, with columns advancing from the garbage dump and Hpakant cemetery area, Swun Kan village, and Maw Maung Lyan village toward Nay Larmong Hill. However, after nearly two months, they have been unable to make forward progress. Due to this lack of advancement, the military launched additional operations from Hpakant Army Hill toward Shwengetpin Hill in Aye Mya Thar Yar ward, resulting in intense fighting with heavy weapons, drones, and small arms from August 2 to 4. According to KIA military sources, the military council is deliberately targeting civilians with artillery fire in retaliation for their battlefield losses and casualties.
The KIA military source explained that three military columns have been trying to advance from Maw Maung Hill to Nay Larmong Hill for nearly two months without success. When unable to advance, the military council forces attempted to launch operations toward Nyaungpin Hill near Hpakant Army Hill, leading to three days of intense fighting around Nyaungpin Hill including drone strikes, artillery fire, and close-quarters combat. Reports indicate significant military casualties, with over 100 soldiers killed during the two-month period since military columns arrived in Hpakant.
The military council’s offensive operations in Hpakant have displaced over 5,000 civilians from ten villages, with homes destroyed by artillery fire according to local residents. While the military council continues attempts to recapture Hpakant city, they face significant resistance from local People’s Defense Forces and ethnic armed organizations. The military’s campaign has resulted in approximately 60 civilian deaths and over 100 injuries since their arrival in the area. Local sources report widespread destruction of civilian property and infrastructure due to indiscriminate artillery strikes as fighting continues between resistance forces and the military council troops trying to establish control over the strategically important region.
