On November 11, the military junta arrested approximately 200 civilians returning from rice harvesting in Puche village, which is part of the KoneSone village group in Pekon Township, Southern Shan State, according to the official announcement by the Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF).

Although the reason for the arrests is still unknown. Ta Ae Soe, the KNDF spokesperson, stated that the junta troops advancing from Pinlaung Township towards Pekon Township were responsible for the abductions.

“This incident was due to the junta troops advancing towards Pekon. We are still verifying the exact battalion,” said Ta Ae Soe.

The detained civilians are reportedly being held at a sports hall in Pinlaung Township, which is controlled by the junta and its allied People’s Militia (PNO).

Efforts are ongoing to identify who the detainees are, including their ages and genders.

Despite ongoing battles in the Pekon-Pinlaung border region, it is currently harvest season for local farmers. Therefore, they continue to work under the threat of artillery shelling and airstrikes from the junta. Some farmers from villages near the conflict zone are unable to harvest their crops and have fled for safety.

The advancing junta forces from Pinlaung towards Pekon have looted and set fire to homes in Nanphamu, Pinson, Loikyine, Konepaw, and Banmauk villages, as well as houses in Pekon town. They have also carried out airstrikes on villages and displacement camps which are unrelated to the conflict, according to the announcement.

In November alone, airstrikes and drone attacks by the junta in Pekon Township have resulted in the deaths of six civilians, including an 8-year-old child, and left five others injured. The ongoing battles in the Pekon-Pinlaung border area have forced over 20,000 local residents to flee their homes.