A Chinese businessman and his Myanmar interpreter, a young woman were shot and wounded, while traveling in a passenger car on the Myitkyina-Bhamo Road in Kachin State, where the military situation is tense, according to Kachin Independence Army (KIA)’s frontline sources.
On July 18th, around noon, the car traveling on the Myitkyina-Bhamo Road was shot between Dabatyang and Samar villages.
A KIA source said that "While driving on the road their car was hit by bullets from an unknown source. In that particular area, there exists military tension between the Shwe Min militia group and our side. Drivers have been warned against driving on this road.”.
Of the two individuals who were struck by bullets, the Chinese businessman sustained a leg injury, while the female interpreter suffered a severe injury to the side of her neck. She is currently undergoing treatment at Waingmaw Peoples Hospital.
The KIA has issued a warning to the public, advising against using the Myitkyina-Bhamo Road due to the escalating military tension in the Namsangyang area since July 3rd.
On July 4th in a similar incident, a passenger car traveling towards Namsangyang village where fighting was occurring, was hit by gunfire, resulting in the injury of U Aung Min, a man around 50 years old.
In another incident on July 18th, the KIA's 47th Special Regiment targeted and attacked two vehicles that were leaving the Military Council's artillery battalion stationed in Nonggawn village, located in Dawthponeyan Township. The attack occurred near Lwejar foothill and involved the use of landmines.
The Military Council column, estimated to be approximately 70 members strong, came under attack around noon. The severity of the assault resulted in extensive damage to their vehicles and significant casualties, preventing them from continuing their journey by cars.. They were compelled to proceed on foot towards Bankaung village, witnesses told KNG.
However, during their march towards Bankaung village, the column faced a second landmine attack, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries. Faced with this perilous situation, the 142nd Light Infantry Division sought refuge in the nearby camp as a matter of urgency.
Presently, the Military Council is launching coordinated attacks from multiple directions with the aim of establishing control over Namsangyang village, located near Laiza, where KIA's headquarters is situated. In the vicinity of Dawthponeyan, Madiyan, Gandongyan, Dabat, and Kazu villages, intermittent clashes between the Military Council and KIA are ongoing.
