The military (Tatmadaw) issued a statement on October 24 saying that an air strike on the base of Kachin Independence Army’s Brigade-9 was just a counter-attack that killed the brigade commander and deputy commander and PDF (People’s Defence Force) members.  

The statement comes after the military launched air strikes on KIA’s Brigade-9 headquarters on the night of October 23.

The site on which the military launched air strikes is the headquarters of KIA Brigade-9. Some illegal gems miners and only KIA troops can enter the site where public travel is restricted for security purposes, the statement said.

The exact site of incident is located at the base of KIA Brigade-9 formed by KIA and KIO Central to exploit and collect extortion money from the companies illegally mining world famous jade stones and that of individual miners. Such a place can easily be searched in the Google Map in order to analyze whether the site is the residence of people or the position of an armed organization.

KIA Brigade-9 and KIA lackey troops together with PDF members with superior strength ambushed Hsezin village and environs between Phakant area and Khamti-Homalin area nine times, collected extortion money and committed kidnapping in Homalin, Yepawmee and related area in an unguard moment of the security forces, raided the police outpost with the larger number of strength in Nansipun block in mining jade stones near Khamti with legally paying tax to the State in May 2021 and set fire to working heavy machinery in their disarray withdrawal, attacking police outposts in Kansi, Lonkhin and Phakant for many times and ambushing Kansi-Lonkhin-Nanya-Mogaung motor road and military camps 11 times from 2021 to date, the statement said.

During three consecutive days from October 21 to 23, those KIA troops violently exchanged fire with the military camps and security forces near Momauk Township for many times. As such, the military conducted necessary military operations against the KIA Brigade-9 area after its attacks on passenger vessels and motor schooners leading to Bamauk along the Ayeyawady River for no reason.

The information about the deaths of more than 50 people and artistes reported by the news agencies bent on publishing false news was just a rumour. According to the verified ground information and inside news from KIA headquarters in Laiza, only KIA and PDF members including Sharaw Laseng with a rank of brigade commander, Zei Tawng with a rank of deputy brigade commander, Dukaba La Aung with a rank of station commander and Pe Rang, in-charge of natural resources assessors were killed in the incident.

The security forces are following the Rules of Engagement-ROE in accord with the provisions of the Law of Armed Conflict based on four Geneva Conventions in necessary military operations for combating insurgents so as to ensure peace and stability of the region, the statement pointed out.