Myanmar junta forces unable to advance from Hpar Lon Village despite continuous airstrikes in Hpapun

Mizzima

Military tensions remain high in Hpapun Township, Karen State, between junta forces who have been launching prolonged offensives to regain territorial control and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) joint forces. Despite continuous aerial support, the junta forces have been unable to make any forward progress, according to local military sources.

Sources state that the majority of the advancing junta troops are currently positioned near the upper part of Hpar Lon Gyi Village, which is located more than 20 miles from the Hpapun Tactical Command Base.

“On our side, we are completely blocking and attacking them. There is no way these guys can reach the tactical base. However, their air support comes every single day,” a military source reported.

Since the fall of Hpapun earlier in 2024, the junta has been launching ground offensives by deploying troops from Myaing Gyi Ngu, Hpa-an, and Kamamaung along the Kamamaung–Kataingti–Hpapun route, while also utilizing aerial drops for logistical resupply.

The junta column currently stationed in the upper area of Hpar Lon Village is the same force that has been advancing along the Kataingti–Hpapun road via Kamamaung since early June.

This military column reportedly includes Battalion (1014) led by Bo Maung Chit and Battalion (1013) led by Bo Hla Kyaing under the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF), as well as a splinter Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) faction led by Bo Bi.

Furthermore, the junta is using jet fighters and drones daily to launch airstrikes, targeting not only active combat zones but also residential villages where local civilians reside.

In addition, heavy artillery support is being continuously fired from the Kataingti Tactical Base and Kamamaung Tactical Base, both of which are currently reoccupied by junta forces.

Meanwhile, the KNLA joint forces continue to blockade the main Hpapun Tactical Command Base (under Military Operations Command – MOC 1), which is situated adjacent to Light Infantry Battalions (LIB) 340 and 341, as well as Military Hospital No. (21). These junta units have had their ground supply routes completely cut off since they were bypassed and besieged during the KNLA-led operation to capture Hpapun in early 2024.

Hpapun Township consists of two main towns: Hpapun Town and the sub-township of Kamamaung. Hpapun Town was completely seized by KNU, KNLA, and PDF joint forces in late March 2024. However, junta troops, along with BGF and DKBA forces, still operate and remain stationed within Kamamaung Town.

During the offensive to capture Hpapun, the KNLA joint forces seized not only the town itself but also Infantry Battalion (IB) 19, Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 434, Combat Engineer Battalion (GE) 642 all under the Southeastern Regional Military Command and at least five other military outposts along the Hpapun–Kamamaung road.