On Saturday, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) attacked a military transport convoy carrying about 100 regime soldiers from Infantry Battalion 297 and the Warazup People’s Militia Force (PMF) twice with landmines on the Lido Road in Tanai Township.
A local source who spoke to KNG on condition of anonymity said the soldiers were sent from Jahtuzup and suspected they were deployed as part of a security detachment in Kachin State. For the past two weeks, the soldiers have been inspecting villages in the area, apparently in preparation for the trip of high-ranking military officials to Tanai town, the man said.
At least five soldiers from the convoy were reportedly killed in the blast in Hukawng Valley, which was planted by Kachin soldiers from Battalion 43 of Brigade 2.
On 15 December, the KIA and the PDF burnt down an abandoned Lisu PMF camp at Lamong in Tanai Township.
