IB-142 surrenders its Kham Kai mountain camp to KIA
By Network Media Group
March 8, 2024
The Burma army’s Infantry Battalion 142 (IB-142), has raised a white flag and surrendered to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), according to local sources.
IB-142 had its camp on Kham Kai mountain near Dawt Hpung Yang in Bhamo Township of Kachin State. The KIA and allied force attacked IB-142’s Kham Kai mountain military camp on 7 March, and encircled the camp. On 8 March, IB-142 raised a white flag and surrendered to the KIA.
“They showed a white flag today. The KIA has encircled the mountain camp since yesterday. Some structures in the mountain camp were destroyed during the clash. This is why they surrendered today. It’s a big camp. Both sides exchanged gunfire fight until the junta soldiers showed a white flag. Now the gunfire has stopped,” a news source told NMG.
Local people in Dawt Hpung Yang fled the area since yesterday when the fighting broke out. They are now taking shelter in safer areas.
“The KIA troops are now picking up the surrendered Burma army soldiers. There are also some family members of the soldiers present in the camp. The KIA will also collect the weapons and ammunition remaining at the camp,” the news source told NMG.
NMG has not been able to independently verify the number and condition of the prisoners of war or the number of weapons captured from the Kham Kai mountain camp.
On 7 March, the KIA and allied forces simultaneously attacked multiple Burma army camps around Laiza and along the Myitkyina–Bhamo highway. Since the initial attacks, clashes have escalated in the area.
In addition to the Kham Kai mountain camp, the KIA and allied forces attacked Burma army military camps including the Hpun Pyen mountain camp, the Bum Re mountain camp, and the Hkaya mountain camp. Col Naw Bu, head of the KIO’s Information Department, confirmed to media outlets that KIA troops have already seized more than 10 military camps from the Burma army since yesterday.
