The campaign which began late last month, following the Burma Army’s order to move out from its mountain bases west of the Salween on 26 March, has already claimed more than 100 casualties on both sides plus the populace.

“Infantry Battalion (IB) 291 and Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 322, temporarily based in Mongkao, Tangyan township, on their arrival, were together 85 strong,” read a field report from the SSA. “But now only 20 remain.”

This was supported by a local source who claimed to have seen the bodies of dead soldiers stacked like wood on a truck. “There were two decks on one of the trucks,” he said. “The bottom deck was for the corpses and the upper for the wounded.”

At least 17 people have been reported beaten, 3 domestic dogs shot to death and 3 civilian motorcycles set on fire by the army. Two ethnic boys were also injured by the shelling. “We don’t know how many homes were destroyed,” said a villager. “But three of the villages, especially Wanlao, Nam Ta Kiang and Namhu Yerng were almost completely shot up.”

Youth coming from Nampang with more than 50 motorbikes for the annual water festival on 15 April were also seized to act as “human shields” for the army from Namlao to Mongkao and then back to Namlao before their release.

The mountain base being targeted by the Burma Army’s Lashio-based Northeastern Region Command is Loizay. The SSA has 3 other mountain bases just west of the Salween: Loi Khawk, Loilan and Loikhio.

So far only 5 under strength infantry battalions are taking part in the operation: 33, 291, 322, 326 and 523. “But after U Aung Min’s return from Europe and US tour, maybe a major offensive will be launched,” commented an SSA officer.

U Aung Min, Minister for President’s Office and Vice Chairman of Union Peacemaking Working Committee (UPWC), that had concluded ceasefire agreements with 13 armed movements is currently in the United Kingdom to study the peace process in Northern Ireland, according to The Irrawaddy News.