Putao Eastern Region Routes Closed Due To Clashes

Pajau Media

October 14, 2025

It is reported that routes in the eastern part of Putao, towards the Tanja area, have been closed following intensified clashes. This comes as the Military Council has been increasing troop deployments and advancing offensives across Kachin State.

“On October 12, a clash occurred near Tanja village. Military activities have risen everywhere, and now the roads are closed. Some have just finished harvesting their hillside paddy, although many could not harvest much due to rats. Still, this is the time when paddy needs to be transported, and some people go out to look for jade stones. Now, with the roads blocked, everything has been brought to a standstill,” said a local resident.

Previously, fighting had not broken out in the eastern part of Putao. However, due to the Military Council’s offensive maneuvers and increasing military tension, road closures like this have begun to hinder residents’ travel.

“They no longer allow people to go from Tanja village. Even local farmers aren’t allowed to go to hillside fields. If this lasts long, it will get worse. There is only one road for travel, and the route to Shaokaw plantations is also that same road. Now it’s a situation where nobody can go anywhere,” the local resident added.

Currently, military activity is underway between the Military Council forces and the People’s Defense Joint Forces in Tanja village, and it is learned that a direct clash occurred near the waterfall area close to Tanja village.The road to Tanga is the main route connecting Machangbaw town and Putao town. It is also the road used for taking children to school and transporting food supplies. The closure has posed difficulties in many aspects for local communities.

The eastern part of Putao includes villages such as Dinghkyet, Ding Ga, Marawt, Mapyone, and Dingsa. In addition to hillside farming, locals also rely on Shaokaw cultivation, which depends on the same main road now closed.

News: Pilan U