Kantarawaddy Times
The military junta, through its state-owned newspapers accompanied by photo records taken inside the town, has announced that it fully regained control of Hpasawng Town on February 15 and is continuing necessary clearance operations.
Junta troops have been launching intense offensives on Hpasawng Town in Karenni State since last December. However, frontline sources say that at present, the junta forces are only able to reach and hold their military camps and some areas within the town.
“They can only be said to have regained control inside Hpasawng Town itself. They are only able to control areas around their military camps and nearby town zones,” a source said.
According to the junta’s statement, efforts to retake Hpasawng Town began on September 30, 2025, with area-clearing operations launched from the western side of the Bawlakhe–Htoo Chaung–Hpasawng transport route.
On February 12, clashes broke out at the town’s entrance villages of Nankit and Papu between advancing junta columns and revolutionary forces. Due to heavy artillery fire and air support, junta troops were able to enter Hpasawng Town on February 15.
Although junta troops have entered the town, fighting on the ground is still ongoing, according to Ta Eh Soe from the Information and Communications Department of the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF).
“At present, fighting on the ground is still continuing,” Ta Eh Soe said.
Of the two junta battalions based in Hpasawng Township, Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 134 was seized by revolutionary forces on June 30, 2025. They are now attempting to fully capture the remaining LIB 135.
The junta said it managed to enter the town after launching intense offensives in an effort to regain control of Hpasawng. Currently, there are no civilians living in the town, and only junta troops remain. The junta also claimed that a total of 31 large and small clashes occurred during the battle to retake Hpasawng Town.
