At least 23 government soldiers were killed and more than 22 were injured during fighting in three different locations on Thursday in Kachin State, according to witnesses.
Sixteen Burmese soldiers were killed and more than 22 injured during an ambush by the Kachin People’s Army Thursday afternoon in southern Kachin State, local people said. At least three military horses were also killed, said witnesses.
A government military column was ambushed near Ja Ing Yang, on the road to Sinbo, according to local witnesses. It was largest loss of Burmese troops this week in that area, said local people.
The ambush on the Burmese soldiers was carried out by civilian fighters under the Kachin Independence Army, KIA officers at the Laiza headquarters confirmed.
Three Burmese soldiers from the Sarhmaw-based Infantry Battalion No. 105, from the Kai Htik Post on the Manmaw (Bhamo)-Kai Htik-Nam Hkam Road were also killed in an attack by KIA’s Battalion 1, said witnesses.
Burmese soldiers responded by firing mortars at the KIA for over an hour. A Kachin soldier received minor injuries, according to a KIA officer.
Additionally, four Burmese soldiers from the Dawhpumyang-based Infantry Battalion No. 142 were ambushed and killed by KIA troops from Battalion 24 while the government troops were attempting to transport rations and supplies to the frontline near Dawhpunyang, from Num Lang Village, said witnesses.
The fighting continued on Friday as Burmese troops continued to fire 120 mm mortar rounds at KIA positions, said local people. According to KIA officers, over 6,000 government troops are now deployed around the headquarters but have been unable to overrun Laiza because of KIA resistance.
