A combined force of the Myanmar military and a people’s militia started attacks on a Kachin Independence Army (KIA) camp in Shaduzut village, Hpakant township, Kachin State, on the night of September 11, local sources say. 

That KIA camp area used to be a gold mining site, but with the mounting tension, people have not settled there permanently for over a month. The fighting is reportedly intense with even airstrikes—one time at 1pm and second time at 11pm on September 12, a local villager said.

“The camp is about seven miles from the village centre. A jet fighter came two times to drop bombs. We also heard the firing of heavy weapons. I don’t know how many civilians are still there. But I think there will be just a few. The government army and people’s militiamen went there to carry out attacks,” the villager added. 

Heavy weapons were fired till around 4pm on September 12. As the site being attacked is just over two miles from Myitkyina-Tanai-Lido Road, those engaging in the transport business are expressing their concern.

There have been clashes between the KIA and the government army and people’s militia near and around Shaduzut village and along Namati-Lawa- Shaduzut-Tanai-Lido Road since earlier August.

Both sides have warned that the local people need to build bomb shelters but some of them have already fled in fear.

On May 26, 2021, a group of armed men arrived by car at the house of people’s militia leader U Min Zin Thant in Shaduzut village and opened fire. Four of the seven attackers died in the fight.