Battles Rage in Resource-rich Western Kachin Region

Kachinland News | August 13, 2016

Burmese Army launched a renewed offensive against Kachin Independence Army (KIA) as NLD government seeks to drum up 21st Century Panglong Conference, a term used by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to hold a multi-ethnic conference to solve Burma’s decades-old political crisis.

The latest offensive which began in early August took place in western Kachin State where a wide variety of gemstones are found.

KLN has compiled a list of encounters between Burmese army and KIA since the beginning of August.

A renewed battle began as a combined force of Burmese army’s 297th Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) and 382nd Light Infantry Regiment (LIR) troops advanced into KIA’s 14th Battalion territory on Aug 1 and fired several 60 mm mortar rounds on KIA 14th Battalion’s position at Lamung Tu in Tanai Township, reported a KIA’s 14th Battalion officer. He said KIA troops ambushed Burmese army troops near Noi Je Bum.

A combined force of about 300 soldiers from Burmese army’s 297th LIB, 382nd LIR, Shanni Pyithutsits (militia members), Lisu Pyithutsits and BGF soldiers under Zahkung Ting Ying encroached into territory protected by KIA’s 14th Battalion and the two sides encountered at Lamung Tu on Aug 3. A Ka-maing source said 6 military tanks came out from Yuzana Company’s compound in Jahtu Zup and fired tank shells on KIA positions from Ja Wang Maw for over 60 rounds during the battle.

KIA’s 14th Battalion troops deterred Burmese army troops on the way between Dumbang and Nawng Mi on Ledo road on Aug 3 at 6 pm.

Burmese army’s 426th Light Infantry Regiment troops stationed at Nam Ya monastery fired two rounds of 60 mm mortar shells on KIA’s 6th Battalion position on Aug 3 at 5:30 pm.

KIA’s 14th Battalion troops battled about 50 Burmese army troops under Mogaung-based 3rdMilitary Operations Command (MOC-3) near Hkum Tsai village and Hkra Yang village on Aug 4.

A combined force of about 200 soldiers from Burmese army’s 297th LIB and 382nd LIR, Shanni Pyithutsits, Lasang Awng Wa Pyithutsits and Lisu Pyithutsits launched an attack on a KIA’s 14th Battalion position at Hkada Zup by firing mortar shells followed by ground offensives on Aug 4. Burmese army’s 298th LIB troops currently stationed at Mang Pang supported ground troops by firing mortar shells on KIA position at Hkang Ma Hka Hku.

Burmese army troops stationed at Ka-maing Byuha hill fired 10 rounds of 81 mm mortar shells on Loi Nawng Hku area on Aug 8 at 1 pm.

KIA’s 6th Battalion troops and a combined force of Burmese army soldiers, police and Shanni Pyithutsits engaged in a battle at Ga Matep, located between Mo-gaung and Hpakant, on Aug 8 at 8:30 am. The battle lasted for about half an hour. Burmese army troops stationed at Ka-maing Byuha hill assisted ground troops by firing mortar shells on KIA positions, reported a KIA source in Ka-maing. KIA’s 6th Battalion troops deterred 3 Burmese military trucks at Lagat Yang and Ka-maing cemetery on Aug 8 at around 8:30 am.

Burmese army units under 297th and 298th LIB currently stationed at Mung Hkawm Pa fired several artillery shells on KIA position at Noi Je Bum on Aug 8.

Burmese army troops under Danai-based Regional Operations Command (ROC) and Mogaung-based 3rd Military Operations Command (MOC-3) launched an attack on KIA’s 14th Battalion positions at Awng Len Maw, Nchyoi Maw and Si Dum Maw in Dum Bang area on Aug 10. KIO’s Dum Bang county administration office was abandoned after initial mortar attacks as Burmese army troops getting closer.

KIA’s 14th Battalion troops ambushed Burmese army troops at Nam Sheng Gala Kawng, and Laika Galai located between Sawng Hka and Labang Kahtawng on Aug 11. The two sides battled at a location between Awng Len and Hkada Zup.

The battle continued near Hkada Zup on Aug 12 at 12:30 pm. KIA frontline source said Burmese army troops fired over 30 mortar rounds on KIA positions around Hkada Zup.