KIA Seizes Over 6 Billion MMK from Captured Junta Base Border Town Lwegel Now Under Kachin Control

Following the Kachin Independence Army (KIA)'s capture of Lwegel, a border town between China and Myanmar, they seized over 6 billion Myanmar Kyats in cash from the 142nd Infantry Battalion base located within the town.

As Junta forces in that battalion base desperately fled to across the border to Chinese territory on April 8, the KIA captured the base and seized a large amount of cash.

"It has been reported that over MMK 6 billion in cash was seized, discovered within at least 10 boxes. Considering the perceived security within the army, there is a possibility that the money might be border trade tax funds stored at the base”, a Lwegel resident said.

He added that KIA confiscated the money as it was discovered within a Junta base, indicating it should be deemed as Junta's property.

On April 4, KIA troops commenced their entry into the immigration office, hospital, and administrative offices in Lwegel, removing the Junta's national flag and assuming control over these buildings.

Indeed the administration under the Junta in Lwegel has been halted since late March, with only the 142nd Infantry Battalion in the town stubbornly maintaining deployment.

Later KIA issued an ultimatum to the Junta troops stationed at that base, setting an April 9 deadline for their departure. As a result, around 10:00 pm on April 8, the Junta troops left via the smaller town entry point rather than the official border gate.

With the Junta troops and government employees who remained loyal to the regime fleeing to the Chinese side, Lwegel is now a Junta-free zone. This signifies the first town captured by the KIA during their operations, as of March 7.  From the Junta base in Lwegel, KIA seized not only a substantial amount of cash, but also weapons, ammunition, and vehicles.

Currently, KIA's political wing, the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), is in the process of preparing to establish and operate an alternative administrative system in Lwegel, according to locals.