The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) attacked a military convoy in Mogaung Township, Kachin State, on Thursday evening.
The Kachin armed group said the attack was targeting reinforcements in the township.
KIA information officer Naw Bu told The Irrawaddy that the group used mines against two military trucks near Loili Yang village.
He said: “We are carefully observing how the Tatmadaw [Myanmar’s military] has been reinforcing troops and supplies. We attack if they are sending more troops and ammunition to fight us. We have to take the upper hand before they attack us.”
Naw Bu said he was unsure about the details of the attack and he did not confirm reports of prisoners and seized ammunition from the trucks.
A villager told The Irrawaddy he heard loud explosions and at least 10 bursts of gunfire on Thursday evening.
“We saw the aftermath of exploded mines in the morning. Some houses were hit by the bullets but no villagers were injured,” he said.
Following the KIA’s refusal to recognize the military regime, fighting has been reported across Kachin State and northern Shan State since March 11. The KIA has attacked military and police outposts, threatening to step up attacks if the regime continues to shoot peaceful protesters across the country.
In response, the military launched airstrikes on KIA Battalions 11 and 14 in Namtu in Shan State and Tanai Township in Kachin State in March.
On Thursday night, the Tatmadaw fired at least 10 artillery rounds near the KIA headquarters in Laiza. No casualties were reported.
Naw Bu said: “They have been shooting randomly near the Laiza recently. They appear to be warning shots.”
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