Burma Army takes two KIA posts

THE KIA BUM SEN POST, NEAR CHINESE DAPEIN (TAPING) DAM IN N'MAWK (MOMAUK) TOWNSHIP IN MANMAW (BHAMO) DISTRICT, WHICH FELL INTO BURMA GOVERNMENT ARMY IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR.

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) lost its Loi Ying and Battalion 15 posts to the Burmese military at about 12:30 pm, July 25.

According to a KIA officer in Laiza, the KIA Brigade 3 was overcome by heavy shelling from Burma Army’s Light Infantry Battalion No. 415 at the posts located near Sinlum, between Bhamo (or Manmaw) and Loi Je, in Kachin State.

A KIA soldier from the frontline said there was an exchange of gunfire during the attack before it was decided to pull back.

“All of KIA's posts are important. We set up small posts in areas of strategic importance. But when the Burmese troops came up very quickly the best action was to temporarily withdraw,” said the officer.

Another KIA post, Bum Sawn, recently fell to the enemy. The post is very close to the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) headquarters in Laiza, and still under the control of the Burmese military.

At around the same time Loi Ying and Battalion15 posts were taken, KIA Battalion 34 fought with Burma Army’s Infantry Battalion No. 130 for more than hour in Mong Myit village, northern Shan State. A KIA officer from Brigade 4 has confirmed five Burmese soldiers were killed during the fighting. There were no KIA casualties.

In other areas of northern Shan State, Burmese troops arbitrary arrested four villagers from their homes (two women), in Namsu village, Munggo region. The women were released but the men are still being held by the soldiers. It’s believed they are being tortured.

Arbitrary arrests of this kind by Burmese authorities are very common. Burmese authorities arrest anyone suspected of having connections to the KIA.  Kachin residing in government controlled areas live in a constant state of fear.