An air force jet fighter attacked the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) 9th Battalion operating in the Kawng Sak Bum area near Kutkai Township in northern Shan State, on February 14 th locals said

Fighting has been raging around Kawng Sak Bum, the base of the 9th Battalion under the 6th Brigade of the KIA, east of Hkomone village, for about 5 days. During that time, the Nam Phat Kar-based Military Council’s Tactical Command Center has been continuously used artillery and has now started using a war-plane.

“The fighting has been non-stop since last night along with intense shelling. The clashes have been going on almost every day for about 5 days. Now they start using a warplane and fired continuously”, a Nam Phat Kar resident said.

Two local villagers were injured due to shelling by the Military Council.

On February 9th, the Military Council and the KIA started fighting near Shu Khin Thar village, and currently the skirmishes continue all the way from Chain Nar Pai village to Kawng Sak Bum.

In September of last year, the Military Council attacked the KIA’s 9th Battalion using excessive force in addition to military aircraft.