Burmese Military Fighters Bomb KIA Positions As Battles Rage in Southeastern Kachin

Kachinland News | December 18 2017

Two Burmese military fighter jets pounded KIA’s 12^th Battalion positions at Loi Jau Bum, Marit Hkyet, Dung Hkung Hkyet and Wu Dang Bum on Dec 14 at 2:05 pm, 2:23 pm, 2:41 pm, 2:50 pm, 2:59 pm and 3:14 pm. At least one KIA soldier and one civilian were reportedly hit by rocket shrapnel from fighter jets. Around the same time, Burmese army infantry units based at Man Dat, Daw Nhkang Bum, Bang Htan, RCM church hill and Balawng Dingsa fired several artillery rounds on KIA positions at Marit Hkyet, Loi Jau Bum and Kale Hkyet.

Similarly, Dum Bau Bum-based Burmese army units fired six 120 mm mortar rounds on Bum Kahtawng and Prang Kadung on Dec 14. Sin Lum Bum-based troops fired nine 120 mm mortar rounds on KIA’s 1^st Battalion Magwi Dabang post and Kai Htik-based Burmese army troops fired six 60 mm mortar rounds on Pali Bum and Lai Law.

On Dec 16, a battle took place between KIA’s 12^th Battalion troops and a Burmese army unit at Hkang Htan Hkyet in Mansi Township at 10:43 am. According to KIA sources, the battle lasted for about 3 hours and no casualties have been reported on either side.

Another battle took place on the same day between KIA’s 27^th Battalion troops and Burmese army’s 317^th Light Infantry Regiment (LIR) troops at Da Ga Hkyet in Mansi Township at 4:40 pm. The battle lasted for about an hour. During the battle, Burmese army troops currently based at Man Dat and Maji Gung Kaji fired several 105 mm and 81 mm mortar rounds on KIA positions at Dung Hkung Hkyet, Hka Hpawk Hkyet and Marit Hkyet. Similarly, Burmese army troops based at Daw Nhkang Bum and Sau Ram fired several 81 mm mortar rounds on KIA’s 27^th Battalion frontline positions.

On Dec 15, KIA’s 12^th Battalion troops launched an attack on a Burmese army unit at a location between Pang Gu Kaji and Man Gau at around 8 am.  On the same day, Burmese army troops advanced into KIA’s U Lu Hkyet post and the two sides battled until afternoon. A KIA source said its troops had to withdraw from U Lu Hkyet at around 1:30 pm. On the same day, Burmese army units based at Man Dat, Maji Gung Kaji and Daw Nhkang Bum fired several artillery rounds on KIA positions at Hkang Htan Hkyet, Hka Hpawt Hkyet, and Magawng Yang.

On Dec 13, Kachin civilian forces under KIA’s 27^th Battalion encountered a Burmese army unit from 78^th LIB at Chyam Ka village at around 5:20 pm.

On Dec 12, Burmese army units based at Man DAt and Bang Htan RCM church hill fired 4 mortar rounds on Marit Hkyet and Hka Hpawk Hkyet.

On Dec 11, Burmese army troops based at Man Gau fired four 120 mm mortar rounds on Ba Hpang area at around 8:30 pm.

Burmese army units currently based at Kai Htik, Balawng Dingsa, Man Dat, Gawk Ngu Yang, and Bang Htan fired several  60 mm, 81 mm, and 120 mm mortar rounds on KIA’s 27^th Battalion positions at Pung Ling, Man Kang, Bang Gaw, Loi Jau, Nam Hka Bum, Kawng Ra, Prang Hkrem and Dung Hkung Hket on Dec 10 beginning 11:30 pm.