The joint revolutionary forces consisting of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and People’s Defense Force (PDF) captured the town of Pang War in Kachin State, confirmed by local residents and KIA military sources.
The KIA-led forces reportedly launched attacks on military junta bases and border guard posts inside the town at around 5:00 p.m. yesterday, on October 18, successfully taking control of the town by 9:00 p.m. The KIA-led forces marched in column into the town in column at 12:00 a.m.
“The battle was intense starting at 5:00 p.m. yesterday. The militia changed their uniforms and fled. By 9:00 p.m., all camps around Panwa were taken. We could see the camps burning. This morning at 12, KIA soldiers marched in,” a local resident explained.
KIA began attacking Pang War in early October, securing control of the town within a few days. Previously, Pang War, a major hub of rare earth mineral mines, was controlled by the Special Region 1 Border Guard Forces led by U U Za Khone Taint Yein under the military junta, but it has now been fully captured by KIA forces.
On October 15, KIA and allied forces seized the headquarters of the junta’s Border Guard Force No. 1002 (BGF 1002), located about 10 miles from Pang War, before capturing Pang War four days later. Earlier this month, KIA also captured junta camps in Chiphwe and Sawlaw, towns in Kachin Special Region 1.
