By PoeSangle / MPA
Fierce fighting has raged for five consecutive days in Gant Gaw village, located between Naungcho and Pyin Oo Lwin, as junta forces struggle to maintain control.
The junta forces advanced from Bant Bway village in Nawnghkio Township toward Gantgaw village on 27 Oct, 2024. Although allied troops, including the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), initially withdrew in response to this movement, they resumed counterattacks against the junta troops on 1 Nov. This escalation has resulted in fierce fighting around Gant Gaw village.
“The sounds of fighting have been relentless for five days, with junta forces even launching airstrikes. I haven’t heard of any casualties, but I’m too afraid to check myself. My relatives from that area have already fled here. Although Tawng Hkam base remains under junta control, we occasionally hear heavy artillery fire, though not every day,” said a local resident from Ohn Ma Thee village, near Gant Gaw, describing the situation.
Due to the ongoing clashes in Gant Gaw, over a hundred residents have fled to villages in Pyin Oo Lwin and Naungcho townships for safety.
Additionally, an attack of the junta air force on 1 Nov caused artillery shells to explode in Hsam Ma Hse village, resulting in the deaths of four locals and injuries to eight others.
On the evening of November 2, around 8 p.m., the junta air force dropped two 500-pound bombs from fighter jets in Ward 5, Zone 2 of Naunghkio Township, damaging at least seven houses.
According to a source close to the battlefield, “The fighting has been intense. Our forces are launching attacks toward Gant Gaw. Just yesterday, we successfully captured the Military Council forces stationed in Ku Lar village.”
Furthermore, an airstrike by the junta on 4 Nov at 2:30 p.m. targeted the station area in Naunghkio town, damaging four houses. Local residents confirmed that no civilians were harmed in this attack.
Although allied forces of TNLA managed to take control of Naunghkio town on 10 Jul, 2024, as part of the second phase of Operation 1027, daily clashes have persisted due to the presence of remaining junta battalions and their counteroffensive operations.
A female resident from Naunghkio described the tense atmosphere, stating, “Normal life has not resumed in town. Airstrikes are frequent. Just yesterday, bombs were dropped near the station area, though I am not certain if there were any casualties.”
According to a TNLA statement on 3 Nov, 34 civilians were killed and 87 others injured due to the junta’s airstrikes and heavy artillery attacks on TNLA-controlled areas during October.
The TNLA further stated that those killed and injured in these airstrikes and artillery attacks were civilians from Naunghkio, Kutkai, Hsipaw, and Namhsan.