An intense gun battle erupted between insurgent groups from Northeast India and Myanmar’s rebel factions, the PDF and KNF(B), near Myo Thit in Myanmar, close to Kamjong district along the Indo-Myanmar border.
Residents of Kamjong town reported hearing gunfire when the clash began around May 7 and 8, with hostilities continuing.
The confrontation has resulted in casualties on both sides, claiming the lives of one PDF cadre and one KNF(B) cadre, while injuring at least nine PDF cadres and several KNF(B) members. Additionally, two cadres from the Northeast insurgent groups and two Myanmar Army personnel were also reported injured. The exact insurgent groups involved from the Indian side have not been verified, but sources suggest the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is active in the region.
Sources indicate that the PDF and KNF(B) cadres launched an attack on a joint camp of the Northeast insurgent groups near the Myanmar Army Camp and Sagai National Army Camp in Myo Thit, Sagaing Region. Reports suggest a significant number of PDF and KNF(B) cadres, armed with sophisticated weapons, encircled the camp since Thursday, engaging in intense exchanges of RPGs and bombs over three days. The intensity of the firefight escalated this morning.
In retaliation, the Myanmar Army reportedly conducted air strikes against the PDF and KNF(B) positions. While cadres of the Northeast insurgent groups have evacuated to safer locations, the situation remains volatile with intermittent firing continuing.
On May 8, 2024, the Chief Minister of Manipur stated over X that the government has detected a total of 5,457 illegal immigrants in Kamjong District, Manipur as of May 7, 2024. The biometric data of 5,173 such illegal immigrants have been collected so far. The deportation process is underway. The government has been providing humanitarian aid to all detected illegal immigrants. Despite the alarming situation, it is being handled with utmost sensitivity.
