Tuesday’s contested downing of two regime helicopters over Bhamo would bring the junta aircraft shot down by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in northern Shan and Kachin states to five since the 2021 coup.
On Tuesday, two of three helicopters sending reinforcements and supplies to the junta’s embattled 21st Military Operations Command (MOC) headquarters in Bhamo were hit. One of them crashed into the forest some 22 km from Shwegu, and another made an emergency landing near the town, KIA spokesman Colonel Naw Bu told The Irrawaddy.
But the regime on Wednesday claimed the crashes were due to “mechanical failure,” apparently readier to admit incompetence than defeat.
“Three helicopters landed at the 21st MOC to send reinforcements at 1 pm on Tuesday. Two of them were hit,” the KIA spokesman said.
The third flew to the Kachin State capital Myitkyina.
Local media reported that at least seven junta soldiers including an operational commander were killed in the crash. The Irrawaddy could not independently verify those reports.
The video evidence is inconclusive. Clips posted by resistance forces show an explosion on the ground near three helicopters, and another explosion on the main rotor of a helicopter that was dropping supplies from the air.
Another video shows KIA troops checking the burning wreck of a helicopter in a forest, and a body in military uniform with captain’s insignia nearby.
In May 2021, the ethnic armed group shot down a Mi-35 combat helicopter in Kachin’s Momauk Township. In January last year, it downed a Mi-17 transport helicopter in Kachin’s Waingmaw Township and an FTC-2000 G jet fighter in Kutkai Township in northern Shan State.
The current battle for Bhamo has been going on for more than five months since the KIA and allied forces launched an onslaught on the town on Dec. 4 last year.
While the regime has been making heavy use of aircraft and drones to resist the offensive, the KIA and allies have seized most of the town and have even penetrated 21st MOC headquarters, but they are still struggling to gain full control. Most residents have fled the town, which has suffered massive damage in the junta bombings.
On May 8, 15 people were killed and over 30 injured when the regime bombed a monastery in Bhamo town where displaced people were taking refuge.
