According to KIA military sources, Captain Khant Htet Naung, the column commander of Infantry Battalion 319 of the military council forces, was killed during the ongoing battle for Banmaw city in Kachin State being waged by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and allied forces. The captain was killed on August 25 when revolutionary forces’ drones conducted a strike during the battle. Captain Khant Htet Naung, who was a native of Banmaw and had been leading offensive operations from Armored Battalion 366, was confirmed dead in the drone strike.
The captain was a graduate of the Defense Services Academy intake 61 and had only been transferred to the Banmaw region about two months ago. Intense fighting broke out in Banmaw city on August 24 and 25, resulting in numerous casualties on the military council’s side. Currently, bodies of military council soldiers can be found around Strategic Operations Command 21 in Banmaw city, and revolutionary forces have captured significant amounts of weapons and ammunition. Despite the military council conducting heavy daily airstrikes, they have been unable to stop the revolutionary forces’ offensive operations.
The fighting in Banmaw continues as revolutionary forces gradually advance into the city. Captain Khant Htet Naung was serving as a column commander with responsibility for offensive operations from Armored Battalion 366 when he was killed. The military council has suffered substantial losses in both personnel and equipment during these battles, according to KIA military sources. The revolutionary forces continue to make strategic gains despite intense aerial bombardment from the military council, which has been conducting aggressive air campaigns in an attempt to halt the resistance advances. The situation in Banmaw remains dynamic as revolutionary forces maintain pressure on military council positions throughout the city.
