NAYPYITAW, 17 September 2021, (TON): An official from the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) said that the group attacked a column of Myanmar army soldiers in Tanai in Kachin State morning as they tried to advance towards the Kachin forces’ position.

Colonel Naw Bu, the KIA's information officer, confirmed that the KIA planted landmines to stop the junta troops who were marching northwest from Ta Ron village in Tanai Township to Shin Bway Yang (Shingbwiyang) town at around 6:30am.

He said “it was a defensive fight because the junta’s army was moving towards the KIA troops, the number of casualties was not known as further information from the ground had not been made available.

A local man from Ta Hket village, around one mile from the scene of the attack, told media that residents could hear multiple weapons being fired. 

He said “along with the sound of landmines exploding, we heard six artillery shots, and the sound of small arms was constant.”

Around 100 junta soldiers have been stationed in the 500-household Ta Ron—located more than 40 miles northwest of Tanai—since early September, according to the KIA’s Col Naw Bu, who added that the troops have been occupying a monastery and school in the village.