Civilian casualties rise as junta shells Kachin jade hub

By Admin 06 Aug 2025

DMG Newsroom

6 August 2025, Hpakant, Kachin State

Local social workers say civilians are being killed and injured in Hpakant Township, Kachin State, amid daily shellings by the Myanmar military.

One social worker in the jade mining hub of Hpakant Township said that six people were killed and 33 injured due to junta shellings from August 2 to 5.

"The junta forces fire artillery shells on a daily basis. Civilian casualties have been on the rise in recent days," the social worker added.

Two women were killed and 20 others were wounded after five artillery shells fired by the regime landed and exploded in a residential part of Hpakant on August 5. A local man was killed after three mortar shells fired by regime forces fell and exploded in Shakhayaw Village on August 5.

Hpakant town and nearby villages are under daily heavy artillery fire from the military regime, and villagers are currently fleeing for safety.

"Fighting is still ongoing in Hpakant. The military regime is targeting civilians as it suffers heavy casualties," said a local man in Hpakant.

Fighting is ongoing between junta columns entering Hpakant Township and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), with the military regime using heavy weapons to attack, forcing thousands of locals to flee their homes amidst a rising death toll.

According to local aid workers, more than 60 civilians have been killed in clashes, artillery fire, airstrikes, and drone strikes since the junta columns entered Hpakant Township.