The military regime has launched a counteroffensive after resistance forces captured the headquarters of its Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 437 between Bhamo and Momauk townships in Kachin State, according to KIA spokesman Colonel Naw Bu.
Junta troops based in Bhamo launched the counteroffensive last Saturday, he said. The base that housed LIB 437, which guarded Momauk Township, is located around 11 km from Bhamo, and the two sides are clashing at a place 9.6 km from Bhamo. Momauk is 13 km from Bhamo.
“We have clashed frequently at Milepost No. 6 between Bhamo and Momauk. We also clashed in Mansi Township as junta troops advanced to Kawng Ja Yang,” Naw Bu said.
The KIA and allied groups seized the LIB 437 headquarters, which was crucial to the junta’s efforts to defend Bhamo, on Aug. 19 after nearly one month of attacks, with allied resistance forces reaching as close as 9.6 km to Bhamo.
With the KIA controlling the road to Momauk east of Bhamo town and seizing junta positions in Kawng Ja Yang and Man Yut villages on the road to Mansi south of Bhamo, the regime launched the counteroffensive to defend Bhamo.
Kawng Ja Yang is just a 20-minute drive from Bhamo.
The KIA has also seized control of Sin Khan Bridge across the Irrawaddy River west of Bhamo, making it difficult for the regime to send reinforcements by the river to Bhamo, Col. Naw Bu said.
The 21st Military Operations Command, the 88th Light Infantry Division as well as infantry and light infantry battalions and combat support units are based in Bhamo.
According to local media, around 400 troops from Bhamo are participating in the counteroffensive.
Fighting has been raging in the area, with junta warplanes conducting bombing raids, according to The Kachin Net, the mouthpiece of the KIA.
The KIA and allied groups have complete control of Momauk Township, but the junta’s LIBs 319 and 601 remain intact in Mansi Township.
Since launching an offensive in March, the KIA and allied groups have seized Lwelgel, Sadone, Sumprabum and Momauk along with around 220 junta positions including battalion headquarters, as well as control of crucial routes.
