Kachin ethnic minority rebels in war-torn northern Myanmar accused the military of launching a fresh attack yesterday, just days after a ceasefire pledge by the country's reformist government.
The clashes came despite a new offer by President Thein Sein of peace talks to end Myanmar's last active civil war.
A source said the military was battling to retake control of a strategically important hilltop just several kilometres away from the KIA headquarters in Laiza.