Fierce Hpakant clashes injure nine civilians, force polling station closures

By Admin 26 Jan 2026

DMG Newsroom

26 January 2026, Hpakant, Kachin State

Nine civilians were injured and polling stations were forced to close after intense fighting between Myanmar’s military regime and a coalition led by the Kachin Independence Army in Hpakant, Kachin State.

A joint force led by the KIA attacked junta soldiers stationed in Hpakant, including a police station and a hilltop camp, from the night of 24 January until the afternoon of 25 January, resulting in heavy clashes.

“According to patient records from social organizations, a total of nine people were injured during the crossfire. Three required surgery, while the others are in stable condition,” a local resident told DMG.

The injured include two residents of Seikmu Village, one from Taungpyo Village, and six from an urban ward. Among them are four women, including a 12-year-old girl.

The election process was disrupted as polling station staff fled or hid, forcing the closure of all stations.

“The fighting started on the night of 24 January and continued through 25 January. Polling staff had to flee or hide in bunkers. With no voters showing up, the process collapsed,” the resident added.

The military regime had designated four schools in Hngetpyawtaw, Ayemya Thayar, Maw One, and Myoma wards as polling stations.

Authorities had blocked all entries and exits to Hpakant from 23 January in an attempt to secure these sites. Despite these measures, the election failed due to the fighting.

“Hpakant residents never accepted the military’s sham election. That is why it was unsuccessful. I believe the KIA and its allied forces launched the attack to support the people,” said a female resident of Hpakant.

Fighting between the military regime and resistance forces has been ongoing in Hpakant Township since May 2025. At least 150 civilians have been killed or injured by airstrikes and heavy or small arms fire.

Currently, the military regime controls parts of the urban wards in Hpakant, while revolutionary forces hold the town’s outskirts.