Battles Rage Across Kachin As Representatives Meet in Yangon

Kachinland News | August 23, 2016

Local sources in Hpakant, Mogaung, Namti, Monyin, Kamaing, Momauk, and Mansi in Kachin State, and Kutkai and Nam Hkam in northern Shan State said they have seen more Burmese army troops arrived in trains and trucks as UNFC’s Delegation for Political Negotiation (DPN) and members of Burmese government’s National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC) meet in Yangon for upcoming 21st Century Panglong Conference.

KIA and Burmese army troops engaged in a series of battles as several mortar rounds were fired on KIA positions by Burmese army troops invoking counter attacks and close battles.

A KIA’s 14th Battalion officer said battles could intensify as more reinforcements and ammunition arrived in Hka Da Zup area. He said more Burmese army soldiers from 29th LIB and 121st LIB reinforced already existing 297th LIB, 298th LIB and 382nd LIR in Jahtu Zup, Hka Da Zup and surrounding area.

A series of daily encounters between KIA and Burmese army troops have been reported this week in Kachin State.

Burmese army’s 16th Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) currently stationed at Wu Htau reportedly fired several MG-42, 60 mm and 81 mm mortar rounds on Bum Sen area in Momawk Township on Aug 22 between 4 am and 7:30 am.

KIA’s 20th Mobile Battalion troops engaged in a battle against a Burmese army column at a location between Sai Ling Hka and Ting Rat on Aug 21 at around 7 am.

In northern Shan State, KIA’s 9th Battalion troops and an unknown Burmese army unit fought at a location between Bang Noi and Kawng Mu in Kutkai Township on Aug 21 at 1 pm.

A battle took place between KIA’s 14th Battalion troops and an unknown Burmese army unit coming from Namti at Na Dang Hka and another battle at Nga Lip Hka, located on Lido road in Danai Township, on Aug 20 at 11:45 am.

Burmese army’s 87th LIB troops currently stationed at Wu Raw Bum reportedly fired several 81 mm mortar rounds on KIA’s 3rd Battalion positions at Ngwa Le and Bum Sen on Aug 19 at around 3:30 pm. Burmese army troops fired a mortar round from Bum Kapaw Bum to Hkrawm Kawng village and another round from Man Da Bum to Nam Hpak Krung in Mansi Township on the same day.

A battle took place between KIA’s 27th Battalion troops and a combined force of Burmese army’s 276th LIB and 602nd LIR at Nam Hka Bum near Gawk Ngu Yang in Mansi Township after Burmese army troops launched an attack on KIA position on Aug 19 at 11:45 am.

KIA’s 3rd Battalion troops and Burmese army’s 236th LIB troops exchanged artillery and RPG fire at a location between Lai Hpawng and Dingga on Aug 18 at 2:30 pm.

Burmese army’s 388th LIR troops currently stationed at Mali Yang fired five 81 mm mortar rounds on KIA’s 256th Mobile Battalion position at Mali Hka Hku on Aug 18 at around 10 am.

KIA’s 252nd Mobile Battalion troops battled Burmese army’s 381st LIR troops near its Nhkram Post on Aug 18 at around 3:30 pm. The battle began as Burmese army troops launched an attack on Nhkram Post at around 8 am. KIA source said Burmese army troops advanced into Nhkram area from Dabak, Gara Yang, Ja Pu and Mali Yang.