The Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) has announced that the revolutionary forces have simultaneously attacked and occupied seven military camps in Loikaw, Mobye, and Demoso townships, Karenni (Kayah) State, as part of Operation 11.11.
Three columns of the revolutionary forces attacked the junta’s camps in Wari Su Palai, Nan San Khan, Hpyar Phyu, Nyaung Waing, Waryikawkhu, Yaeyo and Chikei villages starting at 5:00 a.m. on November 11.
“These seven camps are the most difficult to seize. The easiest camp is the Wari Su Palai camp. There are many enemy casualties. We could also seize weapons and ammunition. We have also got prisoners of war. The list is not yet known,” said Khun Bedu, the KNDF President.
While the fighting was going on, the junta troops based in Loikaw, Demoso, and Mobye fired heavy weapons, nearly 20 times with jet fighters and two times with attack helicopters at the fighting areas in Loikaw and Demoso townships.
“Junta troops fired heavy weapons, and five civilians died. Houses were also damaged. Currently, people need to find the safest places. If the junta troops come out and try to dominate our homes, wards and villages in Loikaw, we will attack in the direction of Loikaw and cross the roads from which the junta convoy comes. The areas closest to the junta troops are the most dangerous. Therefore, be aware of the directives issued by the IEC (Interim Executive Council of Karenni State) and the KSCC (Karenni State Consultative Council). It needs to be recognized and followed,” he said.
During the battle, many junta soldiers were killed, there were deserters, and prisoners of war were also captured. A hundred weapons, including various small and large arms, and a lot of ammunition were seized. A jet plane of the military junta was shot down near Hpruso Town.
“It’s quiet this morning. The junta troops are at the Mine Lone gate in Loikaw. There are the 250th Infantry Battalion, the Artillery Battalion, and the 261st Infantry Battalion. It’s not easy to occupy the city. There are not a lot of junta forces in the city police station and the state police station. There are more forces near the prison. There are also tanks. Comrade Saw Yoon has lost a leg,” said Comrade Kyaw Htet, in charge of Loikaw Local PDF.
During the battles, seven KNDF soldiers, four PDF soldiers, and four KNPLF soldiers were killed and there were also injured ones.
“POWs were also captured. The list is still being compiled. It is not just one front. We captured POWs from the three fronts. We have not been able to give an exact answer yet. The list of casualties on the junta side is nearly 100. The captured weapons are almost 100. Two planes flew for an airstrike. Now the crash is on the second plane. When it was hovering around to shoot, we shot it down with an M2 Browning anti-aircraft gun. It must have hit one side of the wing. Smoke came out, and it turned back. I knew that the pilots jumped in Hpruso Township. We are searching for them,” said the KNDF Central News and Information Officer.
KA (Karenni Army), KNDF, KNPLF (Karenni National People’s Liberation Front—Ka La La Ta), DMO Local PDF, Loikaw PDF, Mobye PDF, Pekon PDF, Urban Guerrilla Force, and Shan Taung PDF jointly attacked battles to seize camps.
MPA cannot independently confirm the deaths and injuries of soldiers.