Fighting has escalated in Paikhun (ၽၢႆၶုၼ်) and Mongpai (မိူင်းပၢႆး) townships, where the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) and People’s Defense Force (PDF) are engaged in conflict with the Burma army in southern Shan State.

According to a military source who informed SHAN, the armed groups have been attacking the military junta’s Light Infantry Battalion 422 in Mongpai Township since April 3. The KNDF’s communication officer stated that clashes are ongoing in Mongpai town, but further information is not available at this time.

A man who fled the fighting with others reported that the regime is conducting numerous airstrikes in Paikhun. Additionally, the Burma army is deploying fresh troops to a military training school in Panlong Township (ပၢင်လွင်း) and to villages in Nyaung Shwe Township in the south.

According to the Kayan New Generation Youth, a junta jet fighter recently attacked Hsai Khun Soung Ngan in western Paikhun township, injuring a 10-year-old girl and three men, and destroying at least 10 houses in the village. No fighting was reported in this area.