Conflicting reports emerged from Pajut Town in Duk County, Jonglei State, after Duk County Commissioner John Chatim Ruei asserted that local youth recaptured the strategic area from opposition forces on Monday, suffering heavy casualties in the process.

Chatim told South Sudanese local broadcaster Radio Tamazuj that 48 local youth were killed and 34 injured during hours-long fighting that “liberated” Pajut by afternoon.

He described the action as a spontaneous mobilization by civilians angered by alleged SPLA-IO looting, indiscriminate civilian killings, and vandalism—taking on an ethnic dimension.

“As we speak, our youth took control of Pajut,” Chatim said.

“After realizing that SPLA-IO and White Army fighters were not fighting the government but targeted innocent civilians… our youth mobilized and attacked yesterday (Monday).”

Of the injured, 14 were evacuated to county headquarters for treatment, with others receiving minor care on-site. He could not confirm opposition casualties.

Pajut, previously a major SSPDF base, fell to the SPLA-IO last week (around January 15–17), displacing over 30,000 residents who fled to areas like Payuel, Padiet, and Poktap amid dire shortages of food, water, and medicine.

The opposition’s capture followed earlier gains in nearby Uror County and involved taking 23 SSPDF prisoners, including senior officers.

SPLA-IO spokespeople swiftly rejected the commissioner’s narrative.

Lt. Col. Khor Nyang Mabor, the group’s Jonglei spokesperson, stated curtly: “Our forces and commanders are still in control of Pajut. There was no fighting there, and we have yet to decide whether to move back or forward.”

Senior commander Gen. John Sunday Martin reinforced the claim, affirming the opposition maintains full control of Pajut.

The dueling accounts highlight escalating tensions in northern Jonglei, where clashes since late December have displaced over 180,000 people region-wide.

Recent government reassurances from Jonglei officials urged residents to stay put as stabilization efforts continue, though reports of military movements and humanitarian strain persist.

The contradictory claims underscore challenges in verifying battlefield developments in remote areas, with no independent confirmation available yet. The situation risks further humanitarian deterioration if fighting resumes.