Burma army sends fresh troops to Indian border in fight against KIO

MAP OF WESTERN KACHIN STATE:BURMA ARMY SENDS FRESH TROOPS TO INDIAN BORDER IN FIGHT AGAINST KIO

Since the beginning of December Burma’s army has sent hundreds of troops to a remote region along Kachin State’s border with India to face off against forces from the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), according to eyewitnesses in the area.

More than 300 troops from Light Infantry Division No. 55 are currently staying in the Kachin town of Danai, a local resident tells the Kachin News Group.  These troops appear to be headed for army positions near the border at Nam Yun, Pangsau and a military post close to the KIO’s border based Representative Office of Kachin Affair India (ROKA-I).

Many of the troops traveling to Danai have been escorted by local forces from Light Infantry Division No. 88.   In effort to avoid drawing attention most of the reinforcements arrived in Danai wearing civilian clothes.  According to local residents they were still easy to spot as soldiers.

Local people are concerned that the arrival of the military reinforcements will to lead heavy fighting with the Kachin Independence Army’s Brigade 2, which is based in western Kachin State and controls territory along the India border.

Since the Kachin conflict erupted last year fighting has been much less common along the Kachin India border compared to the heavy fighting that has taken place along the northern border with China.