Burmese government troops have begun a push to seize a Kachin Independence Army (KIA) outpost located just west of the group’s headquarters at Laiza, a day after Laiza itself reportedly came under artillery attack.

The new offensive, which targets a KIA position on a hill called Hpun Pyan Bum, began at noon today, according to Min Htay, a major serving in the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF), an ally of the KIA.

“We are still fighting. We don’t know yet how many people have been injured as the fighting hasn’t stopped yet,” said Min Htay, speaking to The Irrawaddy by phone from Laiza.

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