A combined force of Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Kachin Region People’s Defense Force (KPDF) and local People’s Defense Force (LPDF) launched attacks on three military camps in Shwegu Township of Kachin State on the evening on 19 March.
The targets of the attacks were the Burma army’s Infantry Battalion 56 (IB-56), the Shwegu Myoma police station, and a military camp at the lower section of four-junction road.
An officer from the KPDF said that their troops used drones and heavy weapons to attack the Burma army camps.
“The Burma army soldiers based at the lower section of four-junction road recently attacked Mang Hker village and the upper section of four-junction road with artillery. In response, our troops attacked them with drones, machine guns and heavy weapons. We also attacked the Shwegu Myoma police station and the IB-56 headquarters,” the KPDF officer told KNG.
An officer from a local PDF said that the Burma army suffered some causalities during the attacks.
“Our drones dropped explosives into the middle of their camp at the lower section of four-junction road. Probably at least 10 Burma army soldiers were injured by our drone attack,” the PDF officer, who was involved in the drone attack, told KNG.
On 15 March, Burma army soldiers based in the lower section of four-junction road fired 120 mm mortars towards the upper section of four-junction road and Mang Hker village. There are more than 50 Burma army soldiers stationed at the lower section of four-junction road. From this location, they strictly inspect travelers on the road.
Since early March, the KIA and its allied forces have attacked and seized multiple Burma army camps near Shwegu Township including the Jehkan military camp in Mansi Township of Kachin State, the Myo Hla military camp in Katha Township of Sagaing Region, and the Mabine military camp in Mongmit Township of northern Shan State. Mansi Township, Katha Township and Mabine town all border Shwegu Township. Some of the Burma army soldiers who were stationed at the Jehkan and Myo Hla military camps merged with IB-56 in Shwegu town after retreating.
Despite the recent influx of Burma army soldiers into Shwegu Township, they have not been out on patrol. The Burma army soldiers are now preparing to defend Shwegu town by setting-up checkpoints at the entrances to the town.
Shwegu Township is situated on the banks of the Irrawaddy River and is a part of Bhamo District, which also includes Mansi, Bhamo and Momauk Townships. After the 2021 military coup, the Burma army burned civilian houses in at least 12 villages in eastern Shwegu Township. KIA and PDF troops frequently clash with the Burma army in eastern Shwegu Township.
