Myanmar’s military launched a series of airstrikes on Tuesday targeting Kachin Independence Army (KIA) positions in Hpakant Township, intensifying clashes over control of the country’s lucrative jade-mining hub.
Pro-junta Telegram channels claimed the assault struck a KIA training base, killing 30 people and injuring 50, though the reports could not be independently verified, reports The Irrawaddy and agencies.
A regime Y-12 aircraft dropped dozens of bombs on areas controlled by KIA Battalion 6 near Kansi village, around 16 kilometres north of Hpakant town, KIA spokesman Colonel Naw Bu told The Irrawaddy.
“The airstrike began around 7 a.m., with roughly 30 bombs dropped. There were no casualties,” he said, adding that the attack took place despite no active ground fighting in the area.
The strikes came after clashes between junta troops and KIA fighters near Seng Taung and Yumar villages close to Hpakant town on Monday. Around 200 regime soldiers reportedly advanced eastwards from Hpakant towards Kamaing on October 14, leaving some 600 troops to defend the township.
“It seems they bombed a site they suspected housed resistance forces,” said Col Naw Bu.
Hpakant, located in Kachin State near northern Sagaing region, has been a major battleground in the junta’s campaign against ethnic armed groups. Government forces had earlier broken a KIA siege of the town, but artillery exchanges have continued.
Last month, on September 17, a heavy airstrike on KIA Battalion 12 in Shwegu Township killed 17 and wounded 19.
The KIA and allied ethnic armed organisations have seized control of 14 towns across Kachin State, including the rare-earth mining centres of Chipwi and Pang War, as well as Mabein town in northern Shan State, tightening their grip over Myanmar’s resource-rich north.
