The KIA (the Kachin Independence Army) has captured of the Sumprabum Tactical Command Center in Putao District, Kachin State, along with three Junta military outposts in Waingmaw Township during the weekend, Colonel Naw Bu, the KIA spokesman confirmed..

 

In the second week of March, KIA launched an attack on the tactical command center in Sumprabum town, where the Junta's 46th Infantry Battalion was entrenched. The Junta responded by deploying reinforcements and close air support. Despite the Junta's fierce resistance, KIA successfully captured the base.

This puts the KIA in a strong position to remove all presence of Junta forces along the strategic Myitkyina-Bhamo Road.

Colonel Naw Bu explained, "The enemy attempted to use air strike to hang onto their base, and they got help from reinforcements coming from Putao. But at 4:00 am on May 5, we took control of the whole base. We have held the town since late March. This base is strategically very important, sitting between Myitkyina and Putao."

 

Currently the KIA continues its attack on two small outposts, which are still defended by Junta troops. These outposts lie between the recently captured base and Sumprabum town.

 

Colonel Naw Bu clarified that KIA cannot claim control over the entire Sumprabum town yet, as it is still awaiting confirmation from the frontline regarding the capture of the two small outposts.

 

Simultaneously with the Putao offensive, the KIA also launched offensives against Junta outposts in Samar, Kagam, Gidawn, Inkram, Konelain, and Ngagrant areas in Waingmaw Township on the evening of May 4. By the next morning, it had successfully captured three outposts in Kagam, Konelain, and Samar.

 

Colonel Naw Bu elaborated,” We have also received initial reports of another outpost in Ngagrant being seized, but we are awaiting confirmation. Clashes in Waingmaw are still escalating. The three outposts we have recently taken are quite large ones. If we secure all military fortifications in the area, it will mean no more Junta presence on the Myitkyina-Bhamo Road”.

 

Since the start of KIA's offensive on March 7, the KIA has seized more than 70 Junta bases and outposts of various sizes. These include positions along the entire Myitkyina-Bhamo-Lwegel Road, as well as others in areas controlled by KIA's 1st and 9th Brigades.