The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and allied forces reportedly neutralized a junta column in Bhamo Township, Kachin State, amid ongoing clashes, the KIA said.

On August 23, a large contingent of junta troops from Armored Battalion 5014 advanced toward Infantry Battalion 236 (IB 236), which had been seized by the KIA, only to be split in two columns by an ambush from the KIA-led coalition. One segment of the junta force was completely wiped out, according to a KIA frontline source.

“The KIA struck the junta troops sent from Armored Battalion 5014, splitting them into two columns. One column was completely surrounded and, after two days of heavy fighting, was wiped out, none survived. The other column was also pursued and attacked, eventually forcing it to retreat back to Military Operations Command 21 (MOC 21),” he told KNG.

The KIA attacked the doomed junta column over August 24 and 25, sealing off all escape routes and maintaining relentless fire, ultimately annihilating it.

Another junta column also came under heavy KIA attack on August 26, forcing it to retreat to MOC 21 in Bhamo Town.

Photos showing dead junta troops piled on vehicles during the Bhamo battles have also been circulating on social media.

As of August 27, fighting continued around Artillery Battalion 366, IB 236, and Armored Battalion 5014 in Bhamo Township.

A junta flotilla carrying weapons, reinforcements, and supplies successfully reached Bhamo Township in July in two separate batches. Following its arrival, clashes in the township have intensified since early August.

During the clashes, the KIA also successfully destroyed a tank deployed in the junta’s operations.

The junta has resorted to air and drone strikes to defend Bhamo Town as the KIA tries to capture it.