Fierce fighting broke out between the Military Council and the Local Defense Forces (LDFs) in Htigyaing township of Katha district in Kachin state, killing nine Junta soldiers including a captain, according to LDFs in Htigyaing.

A member of the LDF told KNG, the fighting started when an 80-strong Military Council unit arrived near A Lel Taw village on November 27, after they had set fire to nearby Su Pote Chaung village the previous day.“They were the military column that had burnt down Su Pote Chaung village. Yesterday we attacked them, and one of their officers a captain was shot dead by our sniper. According to field reports we can also confirm that 8 more bodies have been found. We heard that 7 troops including a lieutenant were wounded”, he said.

After the Military Council had suffered heavy casualties, a YAK-130 fighter jet circled five times in the area and launched bombing strikes around 5:00 PM on November 28. Five LDF members were injured in the shoot-outs.

Some pagodas and stupas on Phaya Hill were damaged when the Military Council’s aircraft attacked, and the number of casualties has not yet been confirmed, an LDF On the morning of November 29, the Military Council column set fire to Ingyin Kone village, which is adjacent to A Lel Taw village, and further clashes with the LDF took place, locals said.

At least 3000 residents of five villages in the region have fled due to ongoing fighting, and arson attacks by the Military Council.