Clashes Between Hpakant and Kamai Road Lead to Civilian Casualties

Pajau Media

August 15, 2025

On the afternoon of August 14, near Nam Ya Village along the Hpakant-Kamai road, fighting broke out between KIA/KPDF forces and the military junta troops. During the clash, a drone bomb struck and exploded on a passenger vehicle, killing the driver and one passenger, and leaving another passenger seriously injured.

“A Karen driver was killed instantly at the spot where the bomb exploded. Two passengers in the back were also hit, one suffered a head injury, and another’s thigh bone was broken. The one with the head injury died upon arrival in Hpakant,” said a local resident.

The deceased driver, known as Ko Karen Lay, was around 30 years old. He was driving from Hpakant towards Myitkyina when the clash occurred near Nam Ya Village. As all vehicles had stopped along the road due to the fighting, a drone bomb targeted the vehicle, killing him on the spot.

Another local resident commented: “Both passengers and Nam Ya locals keep getting hit by drone bombs or landmines, hearing such incidents day after day is heartbreaking. Now, most villagers have fled into the forests to escape the fighting. The situation is still unstable. Even though they say the road is open, it’s better not to travel now, because we never know what might happen, staying cautious is the best option.”

The Hpakant–Kamai road had only been reopened for cargo trucks and passenger vehicles around August 2, but clashes between the two armed groups have since resumed.

News: ND