Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – Hpakant region in Kachin State has long been plagued by armed terrorist groups comprised of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Kachin People's Defence Army (KPDF). These groups have consistently engaged in extortion of villages, forced recruitment, armed intimidation of civilians, and indiscriminate attacks with light and heavy weapons on villages that do not support them.
This morning, the aforementioned armed terrorist group launched another attack, indiscriminately shelling Hpakant town with heavy weapons from approximately 3,000 meters southwest.
During the attack, heavy artillery shells fired by the terrorists landed and exploded at Hpakant Basic Education Secondary School and the surrounding area, damaging the school buildings and injuring two fourth-grade students. The injured students are Maung Lin Khant Ko, a resident of Hngetpyawtaw ward in Hpakant town, and Ma Ron Din, a resident of Janggut village. Both have received necessary medical treatment.
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Kachin People's Defense Army (KPA), in conjunction with terrorist forces, have consistently engaged in terrorist activities, frequently conducting indiscriminate artillery bombardments with heavy weapons and inciting conflict and chaos in peaceful villages and communities. This group falsely claims its actions aim to promote regional development, but in reality, it continues to carry out sabotage. This recent blatant attack on a school, injuring underage students, has drawn strong opposition and condemnation from local residents.
It is understood that security forces will continue to take necessary security and counter-terrorism measures and operations as needed to curb the spread of terrorism and maintain local security and stability.
