Intense Clashes Erupt Near Katmaw Village, Hpakant Township, Kachin State

Pajau Media

6th May,2025

Heavy fighting broke out on May 5, near Katmaw Village along the Hpakant road in Kachin State, as joint forces of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and allied resistance groups engaged with Myanmar military troops and their allied forces. The clashes occurred from 2:15 p.m. to 5:40 p.m. around the Katmaw Prayer Mountain area.

The fighting is part of a broader escalation in the Hpakant region, where junta forces have been conducting major offensives, deploying significant troop numbers and launching both ground and air attacks in an effort to regain control of key areas, including the jade mining hub of Hpakant. Since late April, the military has intensified operations in the region, with daily battles reported and the use of airstrikes and drone attacks.

Local sources report that as the military advances towards Hpakant, battles have become a daily occurrence, causing widespread displacement. Over 1,000 residents from villages in Hpakant Township have fled their homes due to the fighting, seeking shelter in temporary camps provided by organizations such as the Kachin Baptist Church.

The military has also been reinforcing its positions with additional troops and collaborating with local militias, while resistance forces continue to launch coordinated attacks on junta outposts and supply routes. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant instability in the region, with both sides suffering casualties and local communities facing humanitarian challenges due to the violence and displacement.

In addition to ground clashes, the military has conducted airstrikes, further escalating the conflict and contributing to the displacement of civilians along the Hpakant road and surrounding areas.

News- Htu Seng