Defence forces intercepted five junta soldiers dressed in civilian clothes delivering rations to the junta army outpost in Karenni State’s Loikaw Township on 13 November.

The junta forces were trying to deliver the rations to their Lawhtaw outpost near Bilu Creek, Lawpita Town when they were attacked by the Karen Nationalities Defense Force 10th Battalion (KNDF B-10) at about 3:00 p.m.

According to a statement from KNDF B-10, during a 10-minute battle out of five junta soldiers, three including a captain were killed, but two others managed to escape because junta forces based in Lawpita Town continuously fired heavy artillery into the area of the fighting.

The KNDF forces seized one MA-1 gun, four boxes of ammunition, some bullets and a phone from the junta troops, before retreating without suffering any casualties.

According to reports junta troops in Karenni State have been deliberately targeting people who are not involved in fighting and committing war crimes by firing heavy artillery into villages every day since the first week of November.

From the beginning of November until 15 November there have been 13 clashes between defence forces and junta forces in the Karenni State townships of Loikaw, Demoso, Hpruso, Bawlakhe, and Shartaw, which have resulted in the deaths of at least nine junta soldier