Over 50 govt soldiers killed on Sunday

Written by KNG


Over 50 government soldiers were killed during fighting Sunday with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) at two different locations in Kachin State, witnesses said.


About 30 government soldiers were killed by the KIA during heavy fighting at Lung Zep Kawng, near Ga Ra Yang Village, on the Myitkyina-Manmaw (Bhamo) Road, in Waingmaw Township, according to local witnesses.

The fighting continued for four days, as KIA troops from Battalion 3, under Brigade 5, resisted a fierce offensive by over 500 government troops from five battalions, KIA officials in the Laiza headquarters, in eastern Kachin State, said.

Two KIA soldiers were injured in the fighting, said KIA officials.

Over 20 Burmese soldiers were also killed during heavy fighting at Lungja Kawng, near the town of N’Mawk (Momauk), in Manmaw (Bhamo) District, local villagers said.

The fighting occurred when hundreds of government troops marched against the KIA base at Lungja Kawng, the KIA officials said.

Until Monday, Burmese troops had not controlled both the Lung Zep Kawng and Lungja kawng posts, according to KIA officials in Laiza.

More fighting has happened in Waingmaw Township and Manmaw District, where KIA strongholds are based along the China border, since early this month.
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