Two people are dead following fighting in up to five locations in northern Shan State’s Namkham Township between the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Pansay People’s Militia Force (PMF), according to local sources.

The clashes occurred from around 5:00 a.m. until the evening of March 15.  

“Shells landed in the market and around houses. Clashes are still happening,” the in-charge in of local civil society group the Kholong Lishaw Youth Organization told SHAN.

Clashes reportedly took place in Lishaw Marnpang, Xiao Gong Gang, Pansay, Tar Kung, and Marn Mai villages, around 30 miles from Namkham town.

“Two people were killed in Marn Mai. Some civilians are still trapped in the clashes,” the civil society representative told SHAN.  

At the time of reporting, it was unclear if those who had been killed were civilians or members of the Pangsay militia.

TNLA spokesperson Maj Tar Aik Kyaw confirmed the fighting to SHAN, but not the casualties.

“Clashes occurred in three to five locations around the Pansay PMF’s camps,” Maj Tar Aik Kyaw said.

The TNLA representative said that the militia was backed up by forces from the Burma Army, and that they launched the attack on Ta’ang troops who were carrying out anti-narcotics operations in the area.

“Whenever we launch anti-drug campaigns, there are intensified clashes. I don’t exactly know how many people have been killed,” Maj Tar Aik Kyaw told SHAN.

The representative from the Kholong Lishaw Youth Organization said it was the TNLA that attacked the PMF soldiers.