In the northern part of Shan State, in Naung Cho Township’s Taung Kham village, fighting continues to escalate today (September 3) between the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), allied forces, and the military council’s troops, according to local news sources.

Additionally, residents of Pyin Oo Lwin, who have been providing artillery support to Taung Kham, are alarmed by the sound of heavy gunfire, leading many to continue fleeing the city, as reported by local residents.

Fighting persists at the military council’s (902) Artillery Command Headquarters and (345) Battalion based in Taung Kham village, with artillery support being provided from the military council’s bases in Pyin Oo Lwin.

“They are continuously shelling day and night. It seems Taung Kham will fall soon. It’s likely because their situation isn’t good that they are desperately firing from this side,” said a resident of Pyin Oo Lwin. There are still people leaving the city, some moving house to house.

Fighting continues to intensify in the remaining military bases in Taung Kham after the TNLA and its allies captured the two artillery bases, No. (406) and No. (206), on August 28. According to statements from the TNLA, the military council is sending significant ground reinforcements to the Taung Kham battle from Yatsauk in southern Shan State, as well as providing air support. A resident from Naung Cho reported that villagers from various areas in Naung Cho Township are also joining the TNLA and the Danu People’s Liberation Front (DPLA) in the battle for Taung Kham.

The military council’s bases in Taung Kham are the last remaining military outposts in the Naung Cho region. Military analysts and locals believe that if Taung Kham falls to the revolutionary forces, the fighting may shift towards Pyin Oo Lwin. The military council has been providing reinforcements and artillery support to the battle in Taung Kham from the direction of Wa-Wan village in Pyin Oo Lwin.

Social media accounts and Telegram channels that support the military council are also reporting on the intensity of the fighting in Taung Kham, describing it as a critical battle. Due to the daily sound of artillery shelling in Pyin Oo Lwin, locals are worried and frightened, with more people leaving the town each day.

A resident of Pyin Oo Lwin mentioned that about two-thirds of the town’s population supports or is affiliated with the military council, while the rest are supporters of revolutionary groups and ordinary civilians. Since late July, there has been a continuous exodus of people moving out of Pyin Oo Lwin.