FBR Report: July Update – Kachin and northern Shan State, Burma

The Burma Army continues its attacks in Kachin State and northern Shan State, Burma. Clashes continue unabated, as the Burma Army attacks Mali Yang Village in northern Shan State, and abuses such as killings, torture, forced labor, and theft remain a tool of the Burma Army to oppress ethnic groups in Burma. Please see below the list of figures for specific accounts of Burma Army abuses.

Totals for July:

• Clashes – 59
• Burma Army Troop Movement – 4090
• Burma Army Fighter Jet (Attack) – 2
• Burma Army Fighter Jet (Recon) – 7
• Burma Army Helo (Recon) – 7
• Burma Army Injured – 28
• Burma Army Killed – 61
• Burma Army Trucks – 80
• Burma Army Horses (Supply) – 63
• Kachin Independence Army Killed – 2
• Kachin Independence Army Wounded – 12
• Civilian Killed – 3
• Civilian Tortured – 12
• Civilian Injured – 7
• Civilians Arbitrarily Detained or Abducted (No reason given to the person for their arrest and detainment) – 17
• Displaced people – 200+

One Civilian Killed and Two Wounded by Burma Army

On 13 July, the Burma Army Light Infantry Division (LID) 99 were en route to attack a Kachin Independence Army position near Kawng Hka Village, Pangsang Township, northern Shan State, when, during the Burma Army’s movement, they came across a landmine which exploded. The LID 99 troops reacted to the explosion by indiscriminately firing in all directions. Another Burma Army unit then began to support LID 99 by indirect mortar fire around LID 99’s position.

One of the rounds fired by the Burma Army struck Hpaushin Naw, a cattleman, in the chest, killing him. He was found near his cattle with multiple shrapnel wounds from a mortar that had impacted nearby. Another mortar round impacted in the nearby Kawng Hka Village where one man and woman, husband and wife, were doing farm work when they were hit by shrapnel from the mortar round. They sustained multiple injuries and were admitted into Muse hospital. Two more mortar rounds impacted on the China side of Burma / China border.

Torture / Forced Labor / Theft

On 23 July, four civilian men identified as Mr. Hprup La Awng, Lajaw Mung Noi, Kumhtat Bawk Naw and Kumnoi Zau Nan were tortured and forced to serve as route guides around Sumpra Bum in Sumpra Bum Township. The Burma Army stated to the men that, “If the KIA continues to ambush us we will torture you all to death.”

On 29 July thirty Burma Army policemen led by Police 2nd Lt. Than Tsin Ong, tasked with security in Pin Lung Tong at Seng Tawng Village, extorted Ks. 20,000 per person from the jade searchers around Nam Maw, Sabaw Maw and Kawng San Maw in Hpakant Township.

At 0915 on 28 July thirty Burma Army soldiers from Ja Pu base in Nam San Uang Sub-township stole chairs, doors and plywood from houses belonging to villagers in Ja Pu Village. The goods were taken away with two Burma Army six wheeled trucks.

On 18 July Burma Army Infantry Battalion (IB) 424 forced villagers to dig trenches and clean the jungle around their base near Nam Jan in Hpakant Township.

Between 0600-0900 on 14 July Burma Army IB 40 forced villagers to clear land to establish a new Burma Army post. The post is to be located on the road to Mogoung River in the back of Namti Wa Awng Village in Mogoung Township.

At 1130 on 12 July a clash occurred between an unknown unit of Burma army troops and KIA militia forces (MKM) near Bang Hu between Hpai Kawng and Bang Sai, Muse Township. After the class the Burma Army troops broke into villager houses and the village church and looted villager homes.

Burma Army Activity – Clashes

On 30 July Burma Army troops at Mali Awng Post fired mortars more than 40 times towards Mali Yang village, Sumpra Bum Township.

At 0930 on 23 July Burma Army troops fired 60mm mortars 6 times towards Mali Yang village from Mali Awng Post in Sumpra Bum Township.

On 23 July a combined group of Burmese Army troops from IB 29, 37, 46, 58, 137, 266 and Light Infantry Battalions (LIB) 381, 385, and 389 were operating along the Sumpra Bum – Patao road and around Sumpyi Yang, Mali Awng, and Mali Yang villages in Sumpra Bum Township.

On 22 July 100 Burma Army troops from IB 260 entered Mali Yang village to transport food rations and reinforcements to their local units.

Between 0600-0630 on 01 July Burma Army IB 250 and KIA No. 6 Battalion clashed at the head of Lagat Yang village and Man Dan village, leaving 19 Burmese soldiers dead in Hpakant Township.