Local residents have reported that the military forces have entered and set fire to a major mining company compound in Mawsizar area of Lonekhin, Hpakant Township, Kachin State. On May 31st, around 11 AM, the military forces entered the compound of the largest mining company in the Lonekhin area and systematically destroyed it through arson. According to local confirmation, this company is one of the largest mining operations in the Hpakant region and plays a crucial role in the local economy.
The military launched an offensive in the Hpakant area with more than 600 troops divided into two columns. Sources indicate that one column advanced toward Taymakun while the other reached the Phayarkone area near Lonekhin Mawza. The destruction is being carried out by the column that reached the Phayarkone area. Along their advance routes, the military has conducted arbitrary arrests and killings of civilians, with confirmed reports of at least five civilians from the Lonekhin area being killed. Local sources suggest that the military appears to have a predetermined list of companies targeted for destruction, indicating that these destructive operations are being conducted in a systematic manner.
According to local residents, the military’s actions appear to be part of a pre-planned operation targeting specific companies for destruction. This assault on economic infrastructure not only impacts the livelihoods of local residents but also threatens to further deteriorate the region’s economic stability. The military’s actions have forced many local residents to abandon their homes and belongings to seek safety elsewhere. The systematic destruction of business infrastructure and the targeting of civilians have created a humanitarian crisis in the area, with locals expressing grave concerns about their future survival and economic prospects. The military’s campaign of destruction and violence continues to destabilize the region, causing widespread displacement and economic hardship for the civilian population.
