More Troops, Ammunition, and Military Equipment Arrive in Kachin Amid Rising Tensions

Kachinland News | November 2, 2016

Burmese army this week transported more troops, ammunition, and military equipment to southeastern Kachin amid rising tensions in the region.

Local sources said a number of military vehicles together with some caucasians arrived in Myitkyina this week. Locals speculated the vehicles as Ukraine-made air defense radar system to be stationed at Nam Pong airstrip in Myitkyina. Others said those vehicles may be Multi Rocket Launcher Systems acquired by Burmese army.

Several Burmese military trucks with troops and ammunition continue to arrive in Dabak, Gang Dau Yang, and Katsu this week. More troops are being positioned in Ding Ga, Wu Htau, Byin Pu Kawng, Sam Pai, and Shwe Nyaung Pin. Local sources said Burmese troops are paving roads, making bunkers, and positioning their field artillery guns in preparation for a major assault against KIA military bases.

Meanwhile, daily exchange of artillery rounds have been reported in area around KIA’s Gidon post and Lai Hpawng post. KIA sources say Burmese army’s infantry units are becoming more active in the area this week.

A combined force of Burmese army forces fired several artillery rounds from Nhkram, Dabak and Gangdau on KIA positions in Nhkram Gidon area on Nov 1 at 10:30 am. KIA troops returned with 82mm and 120 mm artillery rounds on Burmese army positions.

Burmese army troops fired several rocket rounds reportedly 107 mm rockets on KIA’s Tsanlun post, located near Gidon post, on Oct 30 at 8:30 am. KIA troops returned with mortar rounds and the two sides exchanged fire till 5:50 pm.

Similarly, KIA troops and Burmese army’s Nhkram-based troops exchanged artillery fire on Oct 29 from 7:44 am till 6 pm. On the same day, Kagam-based Burmese army’s 121st LIB troops fired several mortar rounds on KIA’s Kagam post from 10 am to 10:30 am.

On Oct 28, KIA’s 252nd troops and Burmese army’s Nhkram-based troops exchanged artillery fire for the entire day. The first artillery fire by Burmese army troops began to fall near KIA’s positions at around 8:45 am and the two sides exchanged fire till 7 pm. KIA sources said Burmese army used Multiple Rocket Launcher System to fire multiple rockets in seconds. On the same day, Burmese army troops currently stationed at Kagam and KIA troops exchanged mortar fire.

Burmese army troops currently stationed at Malang Bum fired 6 artillery rounds on KIA’s Lai Hpawng post on Oct 25 at 1 pm. On the same day, Dingga-based Burmese army troops fired a 60 mm mortar round on Lai Hpawng post.

Burmese army troops under 3rd Military Operations Command (MOC) currently positioned at Dabak, Nhkram, Lapai Kan and Kagam fired several 81 mm, 120 mm and 105 mm artillery shells on KIA’s Gidon post on Oct 25 beginning 8:35 am. KIA’s 252nd Mobile Battalion troops returned fire with 82 mm mortar rounds. KIA frontline sources said Burmese army’s artillery shells contained firebombs causing some fire in the forest around Nhkram mountain range.

Burmese army troops under 3rd and 21st MOCs currently positioned in Nhkram village fired several 81 mm mortar rounds on KIA’s Gidon post on Oct 24. KIA troops returned with 82 mm mortar rounds on Burmese army positions.