Kantarawaddy Times
Download PDF – Summary of Key Events in Karenni State in October
Civilian Casualties Increase Due to Military Junta Drone Attacks
Demoso-Hpruso….
As the election approaches, the military junta troops have increasingly conducted their drone and airstrike attacks on civilian-populated areas and increased surveillance activities.
Previously, the junta’s drones targeted IDP camps and villages, but as the election draws nearer, they also attack civilian farmers working in their paddy fields and farmlands.
Because it is a harvesting season currently, many civilians risk their lives to collect their crops. During these times, they are now facing such repeated attacks, resulting in several civilian deaths.
In Demoso Township, a male civilian harvesting paddy was killed, and another was injured in a drone strike on October 25.
In Hpruso Township, two civilians were killed and eight others injured by junta drone strikes. The deceased were men, while among the injured were two women and six men, with two of them in critical condition. These incidents occurred on October 13, 21, and 26.
All of these casualties in Demoso and Hpruso are similar incidents where junta drones dropped bombs directly onto the fields while civilians were harvesting. Hpruso Township stands as the highest number of civilian casualties.
The Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) stated that minor clashes between military junta troops and revolutionary forces regularly occur in Demoso and Hpruso Townships. Although major battles are not taking place, the KNDF urged civilians to remain alert and follow the instructions of local revolutionary forces, as the junta increasingly uses drones to target civilians.
Frequent Clashes in Loikaw Township throughout October
Loikaw….
On October 6, a clash occurred in the eastern part of Loikaw Township when the joint troops of the junta and the Pa-O National Organization (PNO) launched an offensive on villages in Loilinlay Township near the Karenni-Shan border, resulting in significant casualties for the military junta’s allied forces.
On October 7, another battle broke out near Linphone Gyi village in Loilinlay Township when two columns of junta troops advanced, leading to a two-hour firefight with Karenni revolutionary forces. The junta troops eventually retreated after suffering losses.
Later, on October 9, the military junta troops again launched an attack with over 60 soldiers near Linphone Gyi village, leading to another battle. As a result, over 10 junta soldiers were killed and four weapons, alongside several ammunition, were seized, according to the KNDF.
Since October 11, junta forces have reinforced their troops and intensified military operations around Loikaw’s outskirts, particularly near Leh Htwel and Padar Nyay villages. The revolutionary groups warned civilians to stay alert for security reasons.
On October 16, the junta used airstrikes five times and fired machine guns during a battle.
Civilian Casualties
- On October 3, two 10-year-old children from a village in eastern Loilinlay, Loikaw Township, were injured by an artillery shell by military junta troops. The artillery fire came from Light Infantry Battalion 530, based in Loilinlay. One child was wounded in the shoulder, and the other had a hand amputated by the injury.
- On October 18, an airstrike by junta forces on an IDP camp in eastern Loikaw injured three civilians, who are currently receiving medical treatment.
- On September 28, a 50-year-old male civilian was injured when a junta drone attacked a village in eastern Loikaw Township. In the Shan-Karenni border area, particularly in Pekhon Township’s Taung Salone village, junta and PNO joint forces have stationed troops and fired heavy artillery shells into nearby villages.
Junta Troops Advance Toward Bawlakhe Township
Bawlakhe….
Since August, the junta has been reinforcing its troops along the Demoso-Hpruso Union Highway and conducting military movements towards Hpruso-Bawlakhe Township.
Junta troops have been stationed near Wanmalan village, between Bawlakhe and Ywar Thit, and have launched operations toward Mile 61, between Bawlakhe and Hpasawng.
Election
Bawlakhe and Loikaw, which are Included in the Election Phase (1)
Bawlakhe and Loikaw Township, Karenni State, are included in Election Phase (1), organized by the military junta as a political maneuver.
The first phase of the junta-led election is scheduled on December 28, 2025, covering various constituencies in Karenni State, where four political parties will contest, with 87 candidate representatives to be elected.
The participating parties are Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), National Unity Party (NUP), People’s Pioneer Party (PPP), and Kayah State People’s Party (KySPP).
The junta has announced that voting will follow two systems, Proportional Representation (PR) and First Past the Post (FPTP).
However, local sources report that no parties or candidates have yet conducted any campaign activities in these two townships.
The second phase of the election is scheduled on January 11, 2026, and Demoso and Hruso Townships are included. Meanwhile, Shardaw, Mese, and Hpasawng Townships are excluded from the election as the junta lacks administrative control there. Shadaw and Mese are entirely under the control of revolutionary forces, while in Hpasawng Tonwhsip, the military junta’s Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 135 remains stationed.
Junta Troops Burn Down Homes in Bawran Village, Pekhon Township
Shan–Karenni Border….
On October 13, junta and PNO joint troops launched an offensive into Bawran village, located in Khaung Ei village tract, western Pekhon Township, and set fire to civilian homes, forcing the entire village to flee.
Villagers reported that although there was no fighting nearby, after the junta troops entered the village, over 40 houses were burned down. The damage is significant as the fire spreads.
As residents had to flee suddenly, they are now in urgent need of food and emergency aid. Because of the attack, they were unable to harvest their paddy and other crops since they were seeking safety in nearby areas.
Bawran Village consists of upper and lower sections, with over 360 households and approximately 1,600 residents.
Earlier in October, the junta and PNO troops also attacked Myount Salone village in Pekhon Township by burning homes, shelling the area with heavy artillery, and conducting drone strikes, according to a KNDF statement released on October 13.
