Light Infantry 99 troops under the State Administration Council (SAC) have reportedly murdered five civilians in Mongmit Township in northern Shan State, amid escalating clashes with resistance forces. Local reports indicate that soldiers abducted villagers from Shwe Zali on the evening of February 2 and took them to Ywaleh Pagoda for interrogation before killing them.

“The next day, we confirmed that they were killed,” said a man from Mongmit town familiar with the situation. He noted that while the army often detains people overnight, they are typically released the following day, but not this time.

Three of the victims were identified as U Zaw Win, U Maung Myint, U Maung Tint, between 40 to 50 years old.

Soldiers from LID 99, stationed in Myoleh religious hall in Myaukpai Ward in Mongmit, detained over 40 displaced civilians who had returned to check on their homes as the army often raids people’s homes. The army also confiscated around 40 motorcycles from them.

“I heard that the soldiers told them they would release them if they paid them money,” the local source said.

LID 99 soldiers and a militia aligned with the regime, locally known as Pyusawhtee, stationed at Shwe Zali and Nam Mao Bridge, often extort money from people at their checkpoints.

Around 10,000 civilians from the area have recently fled fighting between the Kachin Independence Army and SAC forces in Mongmit Township. Many have sought refuge in Mandalay and Pyin Oo Lwin, while over 1,000 are staying in Let Hkup Pin and Mobon villages. Volunteers assisting them emphasize the urgent need for emergency aid.

SAC airstrikes and artillery attacks have claimed the lives of at least 17 civilians, including 4 females, and destroyed over 200 houses in the township.