Fighting continues as the junta and its allied Khaunglanhpu militia advance on the Kachin Independence Army’s (KIA) Lahisin camp in Khaunglanhpu Township, Kachin State.
The clashes with the KIA erupted after about 300 junta and militia troops advanced along the road linking Khaunglanhpu Town and Lang Se in Tsawlaw Township on the morning of September 19, according to Hkakabo People’s Defence Force (Hkakabo PDF) spokesman U Khun Sai Kahm. The Hkakabo PDF is an ally of the KIA.
“They tried to storm our positions, and that’s when the fighting broke out. They pulled back a bit, but it wasn’t a full withdrawal. They’re still holding their ground between Khaunglanhpu and Lang Se, so more fighting could happen at any time,” U Khun Sai Kahm said.
During the fighting, the junta and Khaunglanhpu militia were unable to advance and were outnumbered by the KIA, prompting the junta to begin using airstrikes.
Since September 19, ground forces have engaged in fierce clashes between Lang Se and Khaunglanhpu, accompanied by artillery bombardments and airstrikes.
The Khaunglanhpu militia has established a camp on a hill located opposite side of the hill where the Lahisin camp is situated in which the KIA and its allies are stationed. Using this camp as a base, the junta and militia then launched their offensive.
“The militia members who retreated when we took over the Lahisin camp have set up a new camp across from us. They’ve been gathering more troops there and are now starting to advance with around 300 to 400 fighters. But they haven’t reached us yet, and they’re only about halfway after being intercepted,” U Khun Sai Kahm added.
For now, the joint junta and militia column is temporarily positioned between the Lahisin camp and their newly established camp, unable to advance further.
In fact, the Khaunglanhpu militia has been preparing to retake the Lahisin camp since May. Between May and September, its forces attempted to advance twice but were forced to retreat both times due to attacks by the KIA and its allies.
Many of the troops involved in the current advance are new young conscripts, recruited earlier this year by the militia under a mandatory one-per-household provision in Khaunglanhpu and Naungmon towns.
The KIA-held Lahisin camp sits on the border of Khaunglanhpu and Tsawlaw townships, from where Lang Se, a gold mining area in Tsawlaw Township, is accessible.
Lang Se, previously controlled by the Khaunglanhpu militia, was captured by the KIA-led coalition in October 2024. The Lahisin camp fell to the KIA-led coalition in December 2024.
Capturing the Lahisin camp is crucial for the junta and militia, as it would pave the way for further attacks on the KIA-controlled towns of Lang Se, Chipwi, and Pang War. Conversely, maintaining control of the camp is equally important for the KIA and its allies to retain firm control over these towns.
