Two locals were killed and eleven others were injured in Hpakant township on 16 September due to heavy artillery shelling by the junta.

Shelling also targeted villages in the northern part of Hpakant town, including urban wards, where military tensions are high.

A Hpakant resident said that two men died and five others were injured when the junta’s artillery shell struck a public road in Ngapyawtaw Ward, Hpakant town, around 1:30 p.m. on 16 September.

In addition, six local villagers were injured by artillery fire in both Pharpyin and Mawtawng villages on the same day.

There were also artillery attacks on Seikmu village yesterday(16 September), resulting in casualties, but the exact number of deaths and injuries is unknown.

In Seikmu village, the military tension between the junta and the Kachin Independence Army(KIA) and People’s Defense Forces(PDF) allied forces has been ongoing for 11 days. The junta has been conducting airstrikes and artillery shelling from the junta’s strategic hill in Hpakant town.

A villager from Seikmu village said to the voice of Shan Ni: “Houses from the Hpakant town have not been affected, but the situation in Seikmu village has become quite severe. During the 11 days, up until today, airstrikes, artillery shelling, and deliberate arson have caused extensive damage, resulting in many homes being burned and destroyed.”

Approximately 200 houses were destroyed in a recent fire that spread through Wards 3 and 4 in Seikmu village, with nearly all of Ward 4 being completely burned down.