The Juanta deployed two fighter jets to carry out at least seven airstrikes targeting the Ja Wang gold mining site located in close proximity to Shaduzup (Ja Htu Zup) village, situated within Hpakant Township of Kachin State, locals said.
Apart from the airstrikes, the Ja Wang area was subjected to attacks involving small arms and artillery fire originating from camps belonging to pro-Junta militias situated in Shaduzup village.
"Using a pair of aircraft, they launched relentless assaults. As the day drew to a close, the echoes of loud explosions filled the air as their militia camps relentlessly shelled again”, a local told MNJ.
The airstrikes appear to have been triggered by KIA attempts to control or block harmful activities related to a pro-junta militia. According to KIA, a militia group under the leadership of U Min Zin Thant has been engaged in laying mines, conducting drone bombings, and shelling in areas frequently traversed by civilians. Due to concerns over the safety and well-being of the people, KIA has deemed it necessary to issue instructions to restrict the area in order to mitigate potential harm.
The 14th Battalion of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), stationed in theHukawng Valley, has declared Sanpya, Aungyar, and Bankawk villages, along with the regions west of the old Yuzana factory, as well as Shaduzupe, Kinetaw villages, and the areas west of the Khaunglaw creek as restricted areas. Additionally, KIA also issued a warning to miners evacuate the mentioned locations as swiftly as possible.
In the designated restricted area, KIA has implemented a ban on illegal fishing, farming, large-scale gold mining operations using machinery, small-scale gold extraction, and unauthorized settlements. All individuals involved in these activities have been duly informed and instructed to vacate the area by June 25th.
Following the KIA's announcement, the area was subjected to airstrikes, although it remains unconfirmed whether any civilians were present in the vicinity of the gold mining site during the attack. “As the KIA had issued a warning in advance, I believe it is highly likely that
there were no longer any individuals present in that area”, the aforementioned local said.
Ja Wang area, located near Shaduzup village, experienced airstrikes on June 24th, commencing at approximately 5:00 pm. Ja Wang serves as a gold mining site situated on the border between the militia camp in Shaduzup and the territory controlled by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA)
