According to Hpakant residents, three junta military columns attacked KIA and Kachin People’s Defence Force (KPDF) forces stationed at the Lucky Man Hotel and karaoke rooms (KTV) in Seng Taung Village at around 1:00 pm on 7 September. The KIA/KPDF forces then counterattacked and the fighting intensified at about 5:00 pm.
A Hpakant resident said: “Fighting began around 1:00 pm when junta forces, operating in three columns, raided the KIA and KPDF forces stationed at the Lucky Man Hotel. One column targeted the hotel directly, another provided security at a nearby bridge, and the third secured the Kyaukthway Mountain area, behind the hotel. The other KIA allied forces regrouped outside Seng Taung Village. Both sides launched a full-day counterattack. After a brief lull, intense fighting resumed in the afternoon.”
During the counter attack the KIA and its allied forces attacked the junta forces at the nearby bridge and the junta forces trying to secure the Kyaukthway Mountain area. There was intense fighting throughout the rest of the afternoon.
As of 6:00 pm on 7 September, the KIA allied forces were trying to trap the junta forces in the village by preventing them from leaving. Some villagers had also fled the fighting, but the majority remained in Seng Taung Village, according to villagers.
