Locals reported that fighting is ongoing near Tanja Village, located on the highway linking Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State, with Putao Town in the north.

On October 12, a column of about 30 troops from the junta's Infantry Battalion 46, based in Putao Town, Putao Township, Kachin State, advanced toward Tanja Village and clashed the following day with the coalition of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Kachin People's Defence Force (Kachin PDF).

“There’s a small stream near Tanja Village, and that’s where the fighting happened. They even exchanged artillery fire,” a Putao resident said.

Tanja Village sits between junta-controlled Putao Town and KIA-controlled Sumprabum Town, with both sides maintaining deployments in the area since the outbreak of fighting.

“Right now, the junta is stationed in Tanja Village, while the KIA and PDF are just across the stream on the side closer to Sumprabum. Sometimes, they even exchange artillery fire,” another Putao resident told KNG.

On October 13, heavy fighting broke out for three hours in Htanggar Village, north of Machanbaw Town, about 12 miles from Putao Town, between the KIA-led coalition and joint forces of the junta and Tang Gu Tan militia, a resistance source said. Following the clash, the junta blocked roads on Htanggar Village’s eastern side and restricted the movement of residents.

An officer from Hkakabo PDF said it is now more important than ever for the public to stay aware and vigilant, given the ongoing clashes around Putao.

“Fighting is already breaking out all over the country, and clashes are now happening around Putao. It’s really important for people to stay alert and aware of what’s going on,” he suggested.

On October 7, a group of Rawang people held a protest in Putao Town against the KIA and Kachin PDF, organized and secured by the junta along with the Tang Gu Tan militia.

After the rally, some Hkakabo PDF members warned Putao residents on social media to be prepared for possible clashes, and armed confrontations began around Putao soon after.

Lahisin area in Khaunglanhpu Township, Putao District, also experienced five days of fighting starting on September 19, and the military situation has remained tense since then.

In Putao District, the KIA and its allied groups now control Sumprabum Town and Khaunglanhpu Township’s Lahisin military base.

photo credit - တော်လှန်ရေးတပ်ဖွဲ့