Tatmadaw columns additionally capture post of KIA insurgents in Kachin State’s Waingmaw Township

Photo shows the aerial view of the captured KIA post.

Nay Pyi Taw December 19

The Tatmadaw on 16 and 17 December took over Gidon post, the stronghold of KIA insurgents, nearby hills and conducted further clearance operations in the area. During the clearance operations, a military column attacked, around 1 pm on 17 December, a KIA post with about 70 insurgents located at the estimated map reference (LH- 693828) about 8,000 metres in the north of Gidon post and took control of it around 3.30 pm.

In the attack, some officers and other ranks of the Tatmadaw sacrificed their lives for the country, and the Tatmadaw seized two units of weapons including a 60 mm motor, their ammunition, and 26 assorted mines from the enemy.

It is learnt that there have been frequent clashes between Tatmadaw troops and KIA insurgents because the latter commit unlawful acts such as recruiting, extorting, and drug dealing in towns and villages which are under the administrative power of Union and state governments; as well as carry out surprise attacks on security forces in jade and gold mines and irresponsibly commit deliberate mine attacks, arson, and extortion; plus expand their territory from their headquarters and build secret outposts like Gidon in strategic places near towns and villages where they can get military advantage from the terrain. It is also learnt that the concerned military command would identify their other secret outposts and continue clearance operations for security and regional stability in the administrative area of the Union government and Kachin State government.

The Myawady Daily