One Villager Killed and Five Wounded as Burma Army Escalates Attacks in Northern Burma

16 April 2021
Northern Burma

Early in the morning of 12 April, at 0230, Burma Army soldiers from Ma Hkai Artillery (No. 366) Base began firing 81mm mortars. One 84-year-old woman was killed by the shrapnel, and five other civilians wounded. From April 12 to April 13, the Burma Army launched an aerial attack that included more than 15 separate bombings, on Alaw Bum, near KIA’s 19th battalion headquarters, and near Laja Bum, and Hpunlum Bum. Additionally, the Burma Army has increased mortar attacks. The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) tries to protect the people but the situation of villagers and IDPs in northern Shan and Kachin states has only become more precarious as the Burma Army launches new attacks.

ATTACK LOG, 8 APRIL- 13 APRIL

On April 8 at 1830 hrs, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) 205th Brigade Commander with a car carrying three assault rifles coming from Gang Ming Village was arrested by LID 99 outside Gang Ming Village.

On April 11 between 0845-0900 hrs, combined Burma Army troops from Light Infantry Battalion 320 and 387 carried out an offensive toward (MGRS LH 501 174) near Alaw Bum where Kachin Independence Army (KIA) soldiers from 30th Battalion are stationed in Momauk Township. At 1643 hrs, two Burma Army jets dropped bombs and strafed on KIA Bumchyang Post (MGRS LH 525 175). At 2006 hrs, one jet dropped a bomb on Alaw Bum. At 0910 hrs, Burma Army troops attacked (MGRS LH 528 179) near Bumchyang Post where KIA soldiers from 30th Battalion are stationed.

On April 9 at 1645 hrs, KIA militiamen attacked around eight armed policemen in two cars coming from Manje – at the coordinates: MGRS LG 197 613 near Nambai Lung Hka above Hanhtet, wounding two policemen, in Mansi Township.

On April 10 at 1020 hrs, KIA soldiers from 27th Battalion attacked seven truckloads of Burma Army coming from Shwegu, with landmines at a cemetery (MGRS LG 207 649), Kungding Village, leaving one truck destroyed in Mansi Township. The rest of the trucks arrived at LIB 319 base at 1120 hrs.

On April 10 at 1630 hrs, a big Burma Army’s truck carrying military supplies, medicine and uniforms coming from Namya was shot as the driver ignored the interception. The truck fell downhill, leaving a driver and two soldiers dead, in Hpakant Township.

On April 10 between 1930-2025 hrs, LIBs 387 and 438 fired 23 artillery/mortar rounds toward the exploding site after one landmine exploded near 366th Artillery Unit Base.

On April 11 between 1000-1420 hrs, LIB 438 and IB 142 fired 110 artillery/mortar rounds toward KIA 25th and 30th Battalion areas, in Momauk Township.

On April 11 between 1325-1340 hrs, an estimated 20 Burma Army soldiers from IBs 46 and 138 coming from Mali Yang were attacked at the coordinates (MGRS) LK 652 374 by KIA soldiers from 10th Battalion, leaving five Burma Army soldiers dead, in Chihpwi Township.

On April 11 at 1040 hrs, KIA militiamen from 44th Battalion attacked an estimated 30 Burma Army soldiers coming on foot from Namting, with eight landmines, at the cemetery (MGRS) KJ 495 370, Hkrai Run Village, wounding four Burma Army soldiers, in Hpakant Township. At 1515 hrs, an estimated combined 80 Burma Army soldiers from LIBs 381 and 382 were attacked at the coordinates: KJ 506 363 near Gawlu Yang by KIA soldiers from 44th Battalion.

On April 11 at 1040 hrs, KIA soldiers attacked Burmese troops coming from Nam Tin side – with eight landmines at (locus map KJ-4912037353) between Gat Noi Village and Tawng Gung Village, leaving five Burma Army soldiers dead and four wounded, in Hpakant Township.

On April 12 at 0106 hrs, Burma Army’s three truckloads of fuel barrel and three truckloads of security forces were attacked with three landmines beyond Gatshang Yang by KIA soldiers from 8th Brigade, in Mogoung Township. Again on April 12 at 1440 hrs, a 105 mm round fired by IB 142 fell into China side, at Mr. Yang Fa Gyeng’s backyard (LH 553 165). Apr 12 at 1700 hrs, 6 105mm rounds fired by IB 142 fell into China side, around Gaban Yang village (LH 553190).

On April 12 at 0530, KIA soldiers from 30th Battalion clashed with combined troops from LIB (320, 387, 437, 438 and IB 47 at the coordinates: LH 529 177 near Ri Tu Kawng post, in front of Bumchyang post, close to Alaw Bum.

On April 12 between 1300 – 1500 hrs, there was fighting continued between KIA and Burma Army soldiers at the coordinates: LH 515 163, in Momauk Township.

On April 12 at 0230 hrs, (1) Daw Khin Pu (21 yrs old, Myo Thit village, shell fragments entered the thigh and exited) (2) Maung Aik Shan (23 yrs old, Shwe Myaung village) hit shrapnel in the abdomen (3) an unknown elderly woman (84 yrs old, Tsi Hat village) was killed by shrapnel on the left hand and buttock (4) U Poi Maung (55 yrs old, Tsi Hat village) hit by shrapnel on a finger (5) U Uk (38 yrs old, Tsi Hat monastery headmaster) wounded on the legs and (6) Daw Si (83 yrs old, Shwe Myawng village) wounded by mortar/artillery shells fired from Ma Hkai Artillery No.366 Base.

On April 12 at 1930 hrs, Coy (1) of KIA 34th Battalion attacked an estimated 60 Burma Army soldiers from IB (148) stationed at Pang Mahpyit (MGRS KF 446 347), leaving 12 Burma Army soldiers dead, in Manton Township.

Aerial Attacks

Apr 12 at 0700 hrs, 2 Burma Army jet fighters dropped 2 bombs around Alaw Bum.

Apr 12 at 1050 hrs, 3 jet fighters dropped bombs.

Apr 12 at 1230 hrs, a jet fighter dropped bombs.

Apr 12 at 1330 hrs, a jet fighter dropped bombs on KIA 19th Battalion headquarter.

Apr 12 at 1320 hrs, 2 jet fighters flew over.

Apr 12 at 1333 hrs, 1 jet fighter flew over.

Apr 12 at 1340 hrs, 1 jet fighter dropped bombs on Laja Bum, Hpunlum Bum and Alaw Bum.

Apr 12 at 1800 hrs, 1 jet fighter dropped bombs.

Apr 12 at 1808 hrs, 1 jet fighter dropped bombs.

Apr 12 at 1905 hrs, 1 jet fighter dropped bombs.

Apr 12 at 1915 hrs, 1 jet fighter dropped bombs.

Apr 12 at 2030 hrs, 1 jet fighter dropped bombs.

Apr 12 at 2038 hrs, 1 jet fighter dropped bombs.

Apr 12 at 2220 hrs, 1 jet fighter dropped bombs.

On April 13 at 0448 hrs, one jet fighter dropped bombs on Alaw Bum.

On April 13 at 1153 hrs, two jet fighters dropped bombs and strafed on Alaw Bum.

On April 13 at 0100 hrs, Burma Army stationed at Hka Ya Bum fired one 81mm round toward Munglai Hkyet, GHQ area. At 2153 hrs, Burma Army soldiers stationed at Sama Base fired two 120mm mortar rounds toward Hpalap Bum, and stationed at Shanghkawng Bum fired three rounds of 60mm, 81mm mortars toward KIA Lungrawk Post. KIA soldiers returned with 9 rounds of 82mm, 100mm, and 60mm, in Waimaw Township.

On April 13 at 0330 hrs, Burma Army soldiers stationed at Majigung Kaba fired one 105mm round toward Dingsing Pa, in Mansi Township.

On April 12 at 2100 hrs, KIA soldiers led by 24th Battalion Commander clashed with an estimated 40 Burma Army soldiers moving to Alaw Hkyet from (LH 535 173) near Ritu Kawng.

On April 13 between 0830-1600 hrs, there was a heavy clash between KIA soldiers from 30th Battalion and combined troops from IB 47 and LIBs 387, 437, 438, and 320, around the coordinate: LH 515 165 near Alaw Bum, in Momauk Township.

On April 13 at 1005 hrs, an estimated 35 combined forces of LIB 116 and No.28 Police Station on the way to Hpakant Aye Mya Tar Yar to disperse the protesters were attacked with three landmines at the road junction of Sharaw Hka and Tsan Chyoi, by KIA soldiers from 6th Battalion, leaving two Burma Army soldiers dead, five wounded and one car destroyed. In retaliation, Burma Army soldiers spray indiscriminately in the town that five civilians wounded, in Hpakant township.

On April 13 at 1120 hrs, KIA soldiers led by 7th Battalion Commander attacked Burma Army soldiers at the coordinates LK 621 601 between Nsai Yang and Sumpyi Yang, in Njang Yang Township.

On April 13 at 0940 hrs, KIA soldiers from 12th Battalion attacked an estimated 20 Burma Army soldiers from IB 223 with landmines between Tung Kwa and Si Bing, leaving a truck in flame, in Mansi Township.