By Chol D. Johnson
The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) says it has killed at least eight attackers who recently launched a deadly assault on civilians at a mining site near Juba.
The incident, which left dozens of miners and local residents dead or wounded, prompted a swift military response, with SSPDF forces pursuing and engaging the assailants to prevent further violence.
Speaking on Wednesday during a press conference at SSPDF GHQs Bilpam in Juba, Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, the SSPDF spokesperson, stated that the SSPDF soldiers later successfully neutralized the threat.
He claimed that the ground forces responded swiftly by tracking down the attackers of Jebel Galtan, killing eight rebels, including their commander.
Lul said that in execution of their mandate, SSPDF soldiers from the ground forces responded spontaneously by tracking down the attackers who were retreating westwards.
“On 29/3/2026, at 10:00am, own forces on hot pursuit caught up and made contacts with the retreating rebel fighters. The engagement resulted in the neutralization of eight (8) enemy combatants including the commanding,” Lul said.
He added that the SSPDF soldiers had captured guns and SSPDF IDs of the rebel soldiers. Lul underscored that the initial discrepancies in the death toll could be attributed to several factors: information gaps, fog of war, uncertainties, and anxiety.
The spokesperson also explained that some of those initially reported as killed or wounded had temporarily gone missing after the attacks but later resurfaced as survivors.
The SSPDF press release came after elements from SPLM/SPLA IO and NAS attacked Khor Galtan in Central Equatoria State.
The surprise attack on artisanal miners resulted in killing of over 80 people according to an eye witness.
Lul said that the attackers killed twelve SSPDF soldiers in a spirited defense of the area, while three other servicemen sustained gunshot wounds. In addition, 24 civilians died and more than 20 were wounded.
He added that those sustaining life-threatening injuries are receiving treatment at ICRC’s facility, while those with less serious injuries are being treated at Juba Military Referral Hospital in Giada, Juba.
Lul concluded that the death toll at Khor Galtan, initially reported at 73, has dropped to 36 after investigations supported by intelligence reports and several eyewitness accounts.
“SSPDF is glad to announce that, the Khor Galtan death toll initially reported at 73 has now dropped to 36,” he said.