Northeast Desk, 12th May: Recent reports detail a significant clash between suspected cadres of the Kuki National Front (Burma) [KNF(B)] and operatives of a proscribed Northeastern outfit near the Indo-Myanmar border, particularly in the vicinity of Kamjong district and Myanmar Border Pillars No. 90 and 91. The confrontation unfolded around 12:40 am on Saturday, May 11, escalating into a fierce exchange of gunfire.
Sources familiar with the situation reveal that tensions had been simmering for several days, with villagers in Kamjong witnessing the unsettling echoes of gunfire permeating the region. Both sides involved in the conflict have reportedly suffered casualties, highlighting the intensity and seriousness of the engagement.
The conflict arose as a substantial contingent, comprising members of the People’s Defense Force (PDF) and KNF(B), launched an assault on a camp belonging to a Northeastern insurgent group located in Myo Thit, within the Sagaing Region of Myanmar. Utilizing sophisticated weaponry, including rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and explosive ordnance, the assailants initiated a relentless barrage that persisted for three days.
While precise details remain scarce, unverified accounts suggest casualties on both sides of the confrontation. Allegedly, one member each from the PDF and KNF(B) cadres have succumbed to injuries sustained during the clash, with an estimated nine individuals from both factions suffering varying degrees of injuries. Additionally, reports indicate that two operatives affiliated with the aforementioned Northeastern insurgent group and two personnel from the Myanmar army have also been wounded, underscoring the complex nature of the conflict and its broader ramifications for regional stability.