The guns calmed down yesterday at Nampook junction, where roads from Mongyai in the north, Kehsi in the southwest and Monghsu in the east meet, after continuous fighting since 10 July, according to Shan State Army (SSA) North sources.
There was as yet no movement made by the attacking Burma Army units to advance further toward Wanhai, the SSA headquarters, located on the Nampook-Monghsu road.
The nearest Burmese troops are at Pang Woe and Pakhee, 4-5 miles away from Wanhai. “But they’ve been there since the ceasefire agreement was concluded,” said an SSA officer. “There are still no reports of reinforcement there.”
The SSA troops, forced out from their mountain bases by sheer firepower, are now engaging in familiar guerrilla tactics: sniping, sabotage, ambushes and raids in the townships they operate: Monghsu, Kehsi, Hsipaw, Mongyai and Tangyan.
“The raid on Hsengkeow (Hsipaw township) was said to have resulted in heavy casualties on the Burma Army side,” reported another Shan officer. “No figures however are available.”
On 16 July, Lt Mawng Awn and one junior officer from Battalion 137, in civilian garb, were stopped by a Burma Army patrol between Na Mark Khaw and Wanyang, Hsipaw township. In a surprise move, he wrenched the pistol from the Burmese commander’s hand, shot him to death and fled. Both escaped unscathed.
A similar incident took place on 25 June, when an SSA officer Sai Ai La, also dressed as a villager was stopped by a Burma Army officer in Mong Nawng, Kehsi township. He had used a knife instead to kill the Burmese officer.
