2 KIA officers killing during clash in Bhamo district

KIA soldiers take a prayer before leaving for frontline in Waingmaw township in Kachin state, northern Burma.

Two Kachin Independence Army (KIA) officers fell in battle during clashes with government troops on February 7th in Prang Tai Maw, Mansi township, Bhamo district.

The fighting erupted between troops from the Burma army’s Shwegu based Light Infantry Battalion No. 602 and KIA forces when army troops entered the territory of KIA battalion 12. The fighting lasted more than 30 minutes. An officer from KIA Battalion12 officer told the Kachin News Group that second-lieutenant Maran Ungsau Tang and sergeant major Marip La Hpri died during the fighting.

The army units were dispatched to reinforce a government post at Gawngrun about six miles from Gawngrun village where the fighting took place. After the fighting army units headed to Je Hkan Sahkan Gyi post.

It is unclear if there were any Burma army troops injured or killed during the fighting. According to KIA staff tensions remain high in the 3rd brigade’s battalion 12 area.

Clashes also broke out in northern Shan state's Mantong township in KIA battalion 34 area, Burma army reinforcements from Lashio were dispatched on February 8 and 9 to three KIA areas in Nam San township Huhkin Manjet, Panswe, Nam Lan villages. It is estimated that there are now army units consisting of 100 troops in each of the villages.

On Tuesday forces from the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) based in KIA battalion 3rd clashed with government troops in TNLA territory in northern Shan state. According to a KIA officer from group's 4th brigade the government is increasing pressure in both KIA 4thbrigade and 3rd, battalion by dispatching more troops to these areas. KIA troops in the filed remain under order not to provoke or attack government forces.