{"id":67169,"date":"2013-01-12T22:39:08","date_gmt":"2013-01-12T22:39:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.freeburmarangers.org\/?p=58404"},"modified":"2013-05-24T07:53:09","modified_gmt":"2013-05-24T07:53:09","slug":"burma-army-jet-fighters-and-helicopters-support-continued-ground-assaults-in-kachin-state-killing-and-injuring-civilians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.freeburmarangers.org\/my\/2013\/01\/12\/burma-army-jet-fighters-and-helicopters-support-continued-ground-assaults-in-kachin-state-killing-and-injuring-civilians\/","title":{"rendered":"Burma Army Jet Fighters and Helicopters Support Continued Ground Assaults in Kachin State, Killing and Injuring Civilians"},"content":{"rendered":"

FBR Report: Burma Army Jet Fighters and Helicopters Support Continued Ground Assaults in\u00a0Kachin State, Killing and Injuring Civilians<\/h1>\n
Kachin State, Burma<\/address>\n
11 January 2013<\/address>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Map showing area of report<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For the past month, the Burma Army has been consistently employing the use
\nof helicopters in an increasingly violent campaign against the Kachin. New offensives
\nhave opened in Lajayang, Pang Wa, and Nam San Yang. As of now, the total number
\nof deaths and injuries that the Kachin have sustained are not known, but the
\nairstrikes have devastated many villages.<\/p>\n

Most recently, attacks have occurred in Hpum Pyen Bum, a KIA camp in Ba Maw
\nDistrict, Daw Hpung Yang Township (Located at: N 24\u00b0 41\u2019 40.1\u201d E 97\u00b0 28\u2019 59.4\u201d).
\n300 Burma Army soldiers from Divisions 88 and 101 began attacking the camp with
\nmortar fire at 4:00 AM on 7 January 2013 and took over the camp on 8 January
\n2013 at 4:30 PM. Three Mi24 helicopters and 4 fixed-wing aircraft supported
\nthe operation with direct fire. KIA troops retreated when the air strikes began,
\nand are maintaining a nearby position. From Hpum Pyen Bum, the Burma Army have
\na view of Laiza and the surrounding area. On 9 January 2013 around 8:00 PM the
\nBurma Army shot four mortar rounds impacting within 4-5 km of Laiza.<\/p>\n

On 6 January 2013, the Burma Army attacked Nam San Yang village, where there
\nis no KIA presence. KIA troops near the area estimate that approximately 300
\nBurma Army troops came to the village, and burned many homes.<\/p>\n

The number of people who have been injured because of these attacks is unknown,
\nbut sources on the ground recently reported news of a fatality and several injuries
\nsustained during an air strike. On 27 December 2012, at 10:30 AM, the Burma
\nArmy used heavy artillery 105 mm Howitzer to fire upon Kachin civilians near
\nLaiza. Many villagers were working in a watermelon plantation when the firing
\ntook place, and a 50-year-old woman named Magi Tu Ja was injured, and later
\ndied from the injuries she sustained from the attack.<\/p>\n

Three other villagers are known to have sustained injuries as a result of this
\nattack. Kai Ling, 20 years old, was injured on the right side of his waist.
\nMa Roi, 50 years old, sustained injuries on his left side. Htoi Ma Seng, 53
\nyears old, suffered damage to one of his legs. All were sent to Laiza hospital
\nto receive medical treatment for their wounds.<\/p>\n

On 28 December 2012 the Burma Army used 3 helicopters in an attack near Laiza.
\nWhile dropping bombs and rockets upon villages in the area, the Burma Army destroyed
\nthe bridge that connects Myint Gyi Nah, Ba Maw and Laiza. This has crippled
\nthe transportation for locals. However, the Burma Army is not taking responsibility
\nfor the destruction of this bridge, alleging that the KIA (Kachin Independence
\nArmy) is responsible for the destruction of the bridge.<\/p>\n

Attacks continue on a daily basis, creating an increasingly dangerous and hostile
\nenvironment for all local people, as the Burma Army does not discriminate between
\nfiring upon KIA bases or civilian villages.<\/p>\n

Fighting between the Burma Army and the KIA is now taking place in every district
\nwithin Kachin State, with the heaviest fighting concentrated in and around Laiza.
\nThere are roughly 2000 Burma Army soldiers in the area, comprised of 11 different
\nbattalions from Division 88 and MOC (Military Operation Command) 21, TOC (Tactical
\nOperation Command) 1. The units are as follows: LIB (Light Infantry Battalion)
\n315, 316, 217, 318, 415, 307, 309, 320, 389, IB (Infantry Battalion) 237 and
\n74.<\/p>\n

May God Bless You,<\/p>\n

Kachin Free Burma Rangers<\/p>\n