 As a result of increasing Royalist activity, there were a series of skirmishes between the sides for possession of the outlying positions surrounding Nakhang throughout 1964 and 1965.In July 1965, Nakhang was the launching point for a successful offensive against Communist forces in the vicinity.By late November, Vang Pao had five weak Royal Lao Army (RLA) battalions to defend the entire north of Military Region 2.