In Hpakant, Kachin State, military artillery fire has resulted in the death of a father and son, while injuring two children, according to local sources and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). The incident occurred on September 22 at approximately 5 PM when the military base at Taung Kun fired 120mm artillery shells, with one shell striking a house near U Ru Creek in the Sai Taung area. The direct hit caused immediate casualties, killing the father and son who were in the residence at the time, while two children sustained injuries from the explosion.
The military operations in the Hpakant area are being conducted under the command of Major General Kaung Min Htut of Division 33 and Major General Zaw Win of the 3rd Military Operations Command, who arrived from Mohnyin. These forces have been deliberately targeting civilians with heavy artillery and conducting offensive operations against the local population. According to KIA military sources, fighting has been ongoing in the region for nearly four months, forcing more than 10,000 civilians from 14 villages to flee their homes. These internally displaced persons are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, including food, shelter, and medical supplies.
The military began its offensive operations in Hpakant Township in late May, and within the four-month period, more than 85 civilians have been killed and over 250 injured. Local sources report that the intensity of the fighting is expected to escalate further, with the military deliberately targeting civilian areas with heavy artillery fire. The KIA has emphasized the urgent need for emergency assistance to reach the displaced populations who are facing severe humanitarian challenges. The military’s continued use of heavy artillery in civilian areas represents a serious escalation of violence in the region, with local communities bearing the brunt of the conflict’s impact.
