Short battles between the Burmese and Kachin armies took place today, July 25, at three different locations in Kachin State, northern Burma, local sources said.
Around 11 a.m. local time, a gun battle took place between Nam San Yang and Ban Dawng, about 20 miles northeast of the KIA Laiza headquarters.
Two government battalions, with over 50 troops from Infantry Battalions No. 21 and 37, based in the Kachin capital, Myitkyina, were involved in the fighting with KIA troops protecting Laiza, according to a KIA officer at the frontline around Laiza.
A second battle occurred at Chipwi Township between Burmese troops from the Nga Oo-based Infantry Battalion No. 121 and KIA troops of Battalion 10, under Brigade 1, a KIA officer confirmed to the Thailand-based Kachin News Group.
Government troops were attacked on the road near Chipwi while returning to their base in Nga Oo, in southern Kachin State, a KIA officer added.
At the same time, more fighting took place in the Sinbo area in Mohnyin Township, central Kachin State, where the KIA’s Battalion 5, under Brigade 2, is based.
This third battle was between the KIA’s Battalion 5 and government troops from the Sinbo-based Infantry Battalion No. 141 and Infantry Battalion 142, based at Dawhpumyang, sources from the frontlines said.
Both sides suffered casualties in the three battles, however, the exact number is not known at this time.
Meanwhile, the Kachin Independence Organization, the political wing of KIA, is hoping for a message from Burmese President, U Thein Sein, concerning a renewed ceasefire which the two sides discussed three times in June, said KIO officials in Laiza.
