The Burma Army (BA) indiscriminately shelled Mangton (AKA Mantong or Manton) in northern Shan State for two hours on 4 October, where it engaged in fighting with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the People’s Defence Force (PDF).

.

Some of the shells destroyed some houses in Mangton, but fortunately the residents had already fled after the armed groups opposing the military regime clashed with BA Infantry Battalion 130 in Myoma Ward around 10:30am on Tuesday.

BA fired artillery in all directions and they were casualties on both sides, but the number wasn’t known at the time of reporting.

“I think residents of Mangton fled in 40 cars and trucks… some have gone to Namtu and others to Lashio,” a local man has informed SHAN, adding that the fighting had stopped for now.

A regime government official has urged people who fled earlier fighting in Namtu and Mangton townships, and the recent clashes, to return to their homes by 15 October.

At the moment, ”I don’t know how they can expect civilians to return to their village in Mangton Township,” the male source said. He explained that 40 families had been staying in Kyu Saw since 2016 and the recent fighting had caused new families to flee to the village in Namtu Township.

The displaced villagers from Namtu are from Pankaw, Loi Sapeik, Loi Kan and Loi Ann, an area where the BA are facing off with the KIA and the PDF.