The blast that killed 29 people and injured more than 50 others in the village of Monlaikhat, near the KIA (Kachin Independence Army) headquarters on the night of October 9, was caused by a ground explosion, according to credible local sources.

The KIA said “there were 29 deaths during the explosion and more than 50 were injured.”

Regarding the incident, there were reports that the military carried out an air strike or fired heavy weapons. However, Major General Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson for the State Administration Council (SAC), told the media that ‘the Tatmadaw (military) did not fire and has not fired on any group's headquarters.’

Regarding the explosion, the KIA also said that “there were no sounds of any airplanes flying and that it was not known exactly what types of weapons were fired. It could have been a drone shooting.”

There have also been reports by some locals that the explosion occurred in the KIA's weaponry or its ammunition storehouse exploded near Monlaikhat Village.

The village is located near the Myanmar-China border, and according to bilateral restrictions, it was difficult for the military to conduct shootings. Based on the photographs that emerged after the explosion, a large pit formed at the site of the explosion. Moreover, the area of damage caused by the explosion is the size of a football stadium. Among the debris were large vehicles and machinery pieces. In previous incidents, there were heavy artillery shells left, but now there is no such thing as heavy artillery shells, and the sounds of heavy gunfire or aircraft were not heard. Therefore, it can be reviewed that the blast might have occurred from explosives.

"We didn't hear the sound of the planes, and we didn't hear the sound of heavy weapons. The KIA was in a situation where it didn't know exactly what happened. Maybe, it was a ground explosion if there were no air strikes or heavy weapons firing. For a drone, it could not carry a bomb that can cause a heavy explosion. The military would not do such a thing because the area is close to the (Myanmar-China) border. So we have to say that it's just because of explosives on the ground," said a local resident in Myitkyina.

Based on the investigation, there is no type of drone that is capable of carrying a large bomb that can create an football field-sized explosion.

In connection with an incident in 2022 in which there was an air strike on a ceremony being held at KIA Brigade No.9, the military officially reported that it carried out a counter-attack.  

Regarding the latest incident, Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun has already denied. According to a statement released by the military on October 11, the explosion that occurred in the village of Monlaikhat, near the KIA headquarters in Laiza was caused by the explosion of an ammonium nitrate warehouse (gun powder). According to ground information and credible sources, it is true that the ammonium nitrate warehouse is at the KIA training school near Monlinechet. Those gun powders were owned by KIA leaders and Daw Ar Li (Ar Li Kye). The warehouse had about 105 tons of ammonium nitrate (gun powder) and other explosives. 

The warehouse suddenly exploded late at night on October 9 due to an accident. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation and that the Chinese police are also investigating the cause at the Chinese border gate, reported the Tatmadaw’s press release.

As a result of the explosion, some KIA members and their families were killed and injured. Regarding the incident, some media reported false accusations that the explosion was due to the Tatmadaw's aerial bombardment and the firing of heavy weapons, the release said.

The press release also stated that there was a large-scale explosion and damage caused by ammunition and mines at Laisinpostni ammunition storage facility near the Myanmar-China border on September 6, 2019 and at the factory producing mines in Gertugaung, Laiza on September 21, 2020, and that KIA members and family members were injured and killed.

In order to achieve the eternal peace that the entire people longs for and to implement practical peace dialogue processes, the Tatmadaw announced that its military activities will be suspended until December 31, 2023 except for the time of interference and attack on the security and administrative mechanisms of the national government in addition to national defense and administrative issues, it said.

In addition, in order to achieve lasting peace throughout the country, the Tatmadaw is strictly following the NCA, and in the near future, the eighth anniversary of the NCA can be celebrated and ethnic armed organizations are also invited to attend, and the door to peace is still open to this day, the release said.