Joint forces belonging to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Kachin People's Defence Force (PDF) captured two junta outposts in Hpakant and Mansi townships in Kachin State last week, according to members of the resistance.
At 4pm on February 2, the KIA and Kachin PDF surrounded and attacked the Myanmar army’s Namtein camp, located 14 miles east of Hpakant on the road connecting the town with the Kachin State capital of Myitkyina.
“After fighting continuously for four hours straight, [the junta soldiers] ran away,” a Kachin PDF officer said.
During the battle, a military jet opened fire on the area, and troops at bases including one on a tactical hill in Hpakant fired heavy artillery.
Around 50 junta soldiers under Light Infantry Division 33 had been stationed at the site, which the resistance coalition had been targeting since early January, along with the Hway Hkar. . .
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