A Burma army Mi-8 helicopter has been damaged by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) last Friday, according to senior officials. The Russian built helicopter was last spotted retreating to Myitkyina, plumes of smoke bellowing out of it after receiving sustained fire from KIA troops in Lajayang. There are also rumors that the helicopter crashed before reaching the Kachin State capital but it hasn’t been verified.
The helicopter was one of 5 used by the Burma army to attack KIA positions at Lajayang, the scene of heavy fighting on Friday - located some 5 miles away from Laiza, headquarters. The helicopters pounded the resistance forces with their large caliber guns repeatedly throughout the day.
A KIA officer stationed at the front line told the KNG by phone that more than 50 Burma army soldiers were killed in battle. Two KIA soldiers were also killed and three others seriously injured.
The fighting started in the morning after large column of government troops attempted to resupply Lung Rawk - a government controlled post near Lajayang surrounded by the KIA. Fierce resistance from the KIA forced the Burma army to re-call its resupply mission.
