On April 1st at around 7:00 am ,the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and joint forces successfully seized control of the heavily fortified Sinlum Bum tactical command base, which had been under Junta control for more than 60 years, situated on the Bhamo-Lwegel Road in Kachin State, according to locals.
A Lwegel resident close to KIA, informed KNG that KIA-led joint forces commenced an offensive on the base on March 31 and secured it by the following day.
"In fact, KIA troops managed to enter the base last night. Cleanup efforts were completed this morning as nightfall had passed. Currently KIA is seizing machine guns and other weapons from the base. The Junta forces incurred significant losses, with several enemy bodies discovered on-site. Some Junta soldiers have fled”, he said.
Sinlum Bum, the largest military base on the Bhamo-Lwegel Road and strategically important in the region, has been under Junta control for over 60 years, with a deployment of more than 200 troops.
That base held particular significance for the Junta, as it enabled continuous artillery strikes to threaten Mongjaryang, often considered KIA's second headquarters after Laiza.
"There is no larger Junta base bigger than this within KIA's designated eastern military region. Sinlum Bum was crucial for the Junta due to its strategic position, allowing for superior artillery shelling capabilities over the surrounding areas. Mongjaryang bore the brunt of the artillery threat from this base”, the source added.
Since March 27, KIA-led joint forces have launched simultaneous attacks on nearly all of the Junta's bases and camps along the Bhamo-Lwegel Road, resulting in the capture of at least 10 of its fortifications.
As of now, only one battalion remains stationed downtown in Lwegel, serving as the Junta's final fortification. KIA had been gearing up to launch an attack on that battalion since March 28 and 29, but intervention from the Chinese government prevented it.
Since April 28, Lwegel, a border trading zone with China, has been encircled and cordoned off by KIA troops, prompting residents to relocate temporarily.
On the other hand, following the loss of all bases and outposts in the region, including Sinlum Bum, the Junta has resorted to desperate measures, employing continuous airstrikes to protect the last remaining battalion based in Lwegel.
