In a harrowing turn of events, the local police station in Kok Bain Village, situated in Kawkareik Township, Kayin State, fell victim to an attack on the morning of March 24. The aftermath has left residents trapped and fearful due to the ongoing fighting.

According to eyewitness accounts, the hostilities were ignited when the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and its affiliated groups launched an assault on the Kok Bain Village police station. 

The confrontation raged until 11 a.m., resulting in the complete destruction of the police facility. Some villagers sought refuge within their homes, while others fled to nearby areas. Despite the chaos, sporadic gunfire continues to echo through the village.

The crisis extends beyond Kok Bain Village. Nearby settlements have also fallen under siege, with the TNLA’s alliance groups imposing strict restrictions on movement. Locals have been ordered to remain indoors, their lives disrupted by the conflict.

Given the proximity of the Kok Bain police station to the village, anxiety runs high among residents. There are legitimate fears that the fighting could escalate and engulf the entire community.

This recent attack is not the first time Kok Bain Village has witnessed violence. On January 16, 2023, the KNLA and its allies previously targeted and incinerated the police station, resulting in the loss of a woman’s life and injuries to another man.