There was a clash between the Shan-ni Nationalities Army (SNA) and the junta’s troops, according to locals. This is the second clash between the two groups since the February 1 coup.
“The fight took place near Kaunghein village about 30 miles from Khamhti, at around 8.15 am on May 5th” a local said.
An official of the SNA confirmed that the fight took place between the SNA and a combined force of Light Infantry Battalion-52 (Khalaya) based in Khamhti Township and LIB-222 based in Homalin Township. Five soldiers from the junta were killed and one injured in the clash.
On April 1st, a sergeant from Khalaya-309 battalion was killed and a second lieutenant seriously wounded in the fight between the SNA and the army according to locals.
On April 14th, one police member was killed and two others wounded, in a clash between the SNA and police members.
The SNA set up on July 5th 1989 is active in some areas of Kachin State and the upper Sagaing Region. The SNA is an ethnic armed organization which has not signed the ceasefire agreement, although the army has sent a letter inviting them to join the military’s proclaimed ceasefire.
