KIO captures 7 government soliders after fighting at Lajayang

THE BODY OF BURMA ARMY SOLDIER  WHO DIED IN THE FIGHTING ON FRIDAY NEAR LAJAYANG. PHOTO: KACHIN NEWS GROUP

THE BODY OF BURMA ARMY SOLDIER  WHO DIED IN THE FIGHTING ON FRIDAY NEAR LAJAYANG. PHOTO: KACHIN NEWS GROUP

Forces loyal to the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) captured 7 Burma army soldiers following heavy fighting at Lajayang on Friday, according to senior KIO officers reached by the Kachin News Group.

Following their capture the captives were brought to Laiza, the KIO's de facto headquarters located about 5 miles away.

When the fighting ended yesterday afternoon Kachin Independence Army (KIA) soldiers discovered the bodies of at least 15 fatally wounded government troops, according to a KIA major based at the frontline who spoke to the Kachin News Group on condition of anonymity.

KIA officers estimate that more than 50 government troops were killed following the fighting in Lajayang. This figure remains difficult to verify as Burma's army does not release causality figures.

The fighting at Lajayang began early Friday morning as the KIA blocked government forces from delivering rations and other supplies to the nearby Lung Rawk post. The heavy resistance brought against the government forces led to the army abandoning its effort to resupply Lung Rawk by the end of the day Friday.