Joint resistance forces shot down a Junta helicopter attempting to airlift wounded soldiers during urban clashes in Hpasawng Township, Karenni State.
Colonel Phone Naing, the Adjutant General of the Karenni Army (KA), stated that the downed helicopter crashed in Bawlakhe Township, killing both pilots, while the remaining crew onboard were being evacuated by another helicopter dispatched by the Junta.
"By 11:00 am on May 6, we targeted the helicopter with heavy gunfire, as it attempted to touch down in Hpasawng. Around 11:15 am the aircraft crashed into Bawlakhe Township, killing both pilots. The remaining crew managed to evacuate via another Junta helicopter sent to recover the injured The report of the Junta helicopter's downing stands confirmed”, he said.
The fierce fighting continues unabated in Hpasawng, with daily airstrikes executed by the Junta.
In the ongoing resistance battles following the coup, Karenni State's resistance forces successfully downed a Junta aircraft in June last year, followed by another on November 11. The helicopter crash on May 6 marked the third aircraft lost by the Junta to resistance forces in Karenni State. Both the KIA and the Karen KNLA have also downed several helicopters in 2024.
