Four government soldiers were killed and several injured during fighting yesterday with the Kachin Independence Army on the Loije-Bhamo Road, in Kachin State, said witnesses.
The heavy fighting lasted for three hours at Du Ra Kawng, between Sinlum Bum and Lungja Bum, near N’Mawk (Momauk), in Manmaw (Bhamo) District, witnesses said.
Today, at about 3 a.m., a government military truck from Manmaw picked up several wounded soldiers from the area, said eyewitnesses from N’mawk.
The government’s offensive involved hundreds of government troops from the Manmaw-based Infantry Battalion No. 47, Manje (Mansi)-based Light Infantry Battalion No. 601 and Meiktila-based Light Infantry Division No. 99, who fought against KIA troops and People’s Army fighters, according to residents of N’Mawk.
The fighting continued about 2 p.m. local time in the same area, local people said.
Eyewitnesses in N’Mawk said government soldiers stole fine furniture and other property from Hka Wan Bang village, located near the fighting, which was abandoned by fleeing villagers. They transported it back to Manmaw in stolen cars yesterday.
Currently, Burmese troops are staging offensives against the KIO strongholds near the China border at Myitkyina-Manmaw Road, Myitkyina-Sinbo-Laiza Road and Manmaw-Loije Road.
Meanwhile, over 6,000 Chinese combat troops are on standby for military exercises on the Burma border to prevent Kachin refugees and Kachin fighters from entering its territory, said eyewitnesses.
