Fighting has erupted in Hpakant city, Kachin State, as the military council launches operations with three columns while conducting airstrikes in the area. According to military sources, on the evening of March 22, military forces descending from Hpakant launched a surprise attack on a joint checkpoint operated by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and People’s Defense Force (PDF) in Kyauk Hpa village, burning down the checkpoint. They also conducted two rounds of airstrikes on Law Wa village before occupying it with ground troops.
Currently, military council allied forces have established positions in Law Wa village, forcing nearly all residents to flee as internally displaced persons. Additional military columns have advanced from the Car Mine area along the road leading to Hpakant, resulting in continued clashes with joint KIA and PDF forces. The military council is conducting a three-pronged offensive with separate columns advancing from the Hpakant descent road, the Car Mine area, and the Law Wa area. Sources confirm that fighting is currently occurring in three locations along the Hpakant road corridor.
Military analysts assess that the increased military activities in the Hpakant area come as the military council is unable to send reinforcements to Banmaw city in Kachin State, where intense fighting is ongoing. This escalation of military operations has caused severe concern among local civilians, who are being forced to abandon their homes and flee as internally displaced persons. The situation continues to deteriorate as military forces expand their offensive operations in the region, leading to increased civilian displacement and humanitarian concerns.
