ISCI is a cross-disciplinary research centre working to further our understanding of state crime: organisational deviance violating human rights

Kachin State (Burma) Update – January/February 2013

Kachin funeral

“Kachin people are detained, tortured, charged and extorted irrespective of what they have or have not done, because of their prior identification as members of an enemy group — which is to say, not the KIA, but the ethnolinguistic category with which it identifies.”

– Bijo Francis, Acting Executive Director, Asian Human Rights Commission & Asian Legal Resource Centre, Hong Kong, January 2013

The following is a  previously unpublished eye witness account of the Tatmadaw’s (Burmese military) current offensive on Kachin State in northern Burma. The attacks can be understood as part of a widespread and systematic attack upon civilians and the armed Kachin rebels (KIA). Kachin has been the site of armed conflict since a long standing ceasefire was broken by the military in June 2011. ISCI has met with and continues to keep in contact with activists and NGOs on the ground.

This post consists of raw data from trusted ISCI sources in Kachin. The information is not easily verifiable.

Edited for clarity, and time and date formats altered for consistency. The names and identifying information of some ISCI sources have been deleted or changed for security reasons.

The following updates have been provided by Khon Ja from Kachin (khonja.kachin@gmail.com, http://www.facebook.com/SweetestS)

14th January 2013

YouTube video of the UK Parliament MP’s urgent question in the House of Commons on Monday, 14th January 2013 on the attacks on civilians in Kachin State in Burma.

Laiza is shot again at 23:00.

Hka Chyang quarter, Laiza town is attacked now with heavy weapons twice just now. This is the same place attacked this morning, which claimed 3 lives and injured 4 persons. 

16th January 2013

From: KJ From Kachin

Sent: 16 January 2013 18:27

Subject: Funeral services of three boys from Pa Kahtawng IDPs Camp

Dear all,

Just to say thanks and to share satisfaction for the funeral of three boys: Lahpai Tu Lum (age 12), Kareng Seng Lum (age 11) and Labya Myu Ring Awng (age 13) , who died in the banker collapsed at Pa Kahtawng IDP Camp, Mai Ja Yang, Sino Burma border. The funeral service was held today led by two Catholic priests as all of them are Kachin Catholics. The pictures are property of WPN [Wunpawng Ninghtoi].

Thank you very much for all your prayers, support and encouragement. May they rest in peace. Regards, KJ

17th January 2013

11:00 hours: BA [Burmese Army] troops once again put to the torch Nam San Yang, located by the midway of Myitkyina-Bhamo motor way. Parts of the town has been burnt to ground before and most likely to wipe out the whole town today. Awng Ja town where the Agriculture Centre and the Agriculture Diploma School are based, was burnt to ground on 13th January.

14:09 hours: BA helicopter has been transporting 105mm from Hkang Kai bum/mountain post to Manmau BA Post.

16:15 hours: 2 BA jet fighters struck out at Hkaya Bum/mountain KIA post for a full 30 minutes. Hkaya Bum has been attacked by the BA combined forces of 10 mobile infantry and infantry battalions with air and ground commando units accompaniment for a couple of days now.

16:45 hours: 2 other jet fighters are now joining the ground battalions.

BA started their aerial attack using jet fighters and artillery on KIA 3 Brigade area, Mai Ja Yang since 08:00 hours on 13th January.

18th January 2013

Lower House has decided to approve the proposal to “Stop War in Kachin Immediately” today. Please keep an eye on the implementation of the decision.

Since last night BA has continuously bombarded Laja Yang with 105 mm from Manmau, Lung Rawk and Bumre that the KIA has to abandon Laja Yang by midday today.

Since 16:40 Hkaya bum has been facing heavy aerial attack as well.

19th January 2013

12:45 Myanmar Standard time:

Many people might confuse that the offensive war is already over. But I am in Mai Ja Yang.  Yes I have 24 hour contact with Laiza. Yes, Shilling in Laiza now, between Laja Yang and Laiza till now since 04:30 before dawn. Yes Shilling in Lagat Bum and Jan Mai Bum, near Mai Ja Yang NOW. The noises are so close even we could feel vibration sometimes.

• BA bombarded with 120 mm into KIA 6 battalion area of 2nd Brigade.

• BA attacked Mu-Bum surrounding area of KIA 3rd Brigade area.

• Between 06:00 and 07:30 hours BA bombarded with heavy artilleries to the KIA 24 battalion area of 5th Brigade.

• 15:00 hours local time, BA from their newly captured posts of Bumre, Waimo, Tibet, bombarded 120 mm into KIA Hkaya post over 30 times.

• 15:00 hours local time: BA continued bombarding Hkaya KIA post (in Laja Yang area) with heavy artillery.

20th January 2013

Kachin War continues heavily.

08:20 hours: the BA offensive continued since this morning in the same Laja Yang area using 105, 120 mm artillery accompanied by infantry battalions.

Since 09:05 this morning, Hka Ya post between Laja Yang and Laiza (5 miles to Laiza) is heavily attacked by Burmese army till now. Fighter jets already flied above but no air strike yet. It is Central Division also known as Head Quarter region. Total of 12,000 IDPs and 12,000 Local residents are living in Laiza.

Since 10:00 this morning, Lagat Bum and Jan Mai Bum near Mai Ja Yang, Eastern Division. The explosions are loudly heard and vibration can be felt from Mai Ja Yang. Total of 9,800 IDPs and 10,000 local residents are near Mai Ja Yang.

Since dawn, severely fighting occurred in Yi-hku – Man-Hkam village, 2 miles outside Mansi, near Banmaw.

14:20 – Hka Ya Bum Post, only 5 miles away from Laiza is severely attacked, using heavy weapons and big number of troops, seem the Govt army is trying to it today. In the east, motor shelling near Mai Ja Yang is so loud now.

KIA Battalion 6 HQ is being attacked by the BA MOC 7. The BA infantry unit is now approaching Seng Ra in Hpakant Jade mine area. Heavy artillery bombardment continue in the area. Fierce fighting continues throughout the day in Laja Yang area as well. According to the 2 BA deserters, the BA determined to capture Hkaya Bum (in Laja Yang) and Pangwa (border post 6) within the next two days.

21st January 2013

Since this morning BA started its 2 pronged-blitzkrieg attack on HkaYa Bum, the most strategic post of the KIA to defend Laiza.

Gawgwi Pa (Pang Hkawn Yang) area, along Gaw Gwi Stream, the west of Irriwaddy River Bank, in Shwe Gu township area has severe clashes. More than 2,000 Civilians are surrounded by BA.

Madang Yang, between Mansi and Kai Htik in Mansi township along Banmaw-Namhkam Car Road has also another clashes.

Maga Hkyet and Lagat Bum in Mai Ja Yang area had explosions this morning till 10:30.

BA offensive continued across Kachinland. The KIA 3 Brigade area Jan Mai Bum has been under heavy attack by BA troops since 10:00 hours until later in the evening.

The KIA was able to repel the BA at Panwa Border Post 6.

The KIA has to abandon its 6 battalion headquarter at  Ginsi Seng Ra town in Hpakant jade mine area at 14:00 hours. KIA 6 Bn area is economically vital for the KIA/KIO.

***

Dear Friend,

We are sending Kachin National Organization’s (KNO) Press Release on the Ceasefire Announcement in Mai Ja Yang area by the Burmese government and daily updates on the situation since Saturday, 19th January 2013.

The Burmese government forces continue offensives despite one-sided ceasefire announcement. Independent monitoring system is urgently required in Laja Yang (ceasefire announced area) for the Government unilateral ceasefire announcement to be effective.

KJ

22nd January 2013

Although President U Thein Sein reportedly claimed that objectives for security of Myitkyina-Bhamo Union Highway has been achieved and therefore will unilaterally ceased fire, the offensive goes on.

The 2 adjacent outposts above the Hkaya bum/hill, Adidi and Wungau, overran by BA today.

06:30 – BA has been bombarding more than 130 rounds of artillery from the earlier captured Tibet and Waimaw Posts to KIA positions continuously till present.

BA reinforced and deployed troops around Laja Yang.

10:30 and 11:30 – Helicopter landed twice at Naphaw Post.

Fighting continues at Boarder Post 6 (Pangwa) at this reporting time.

23rd January 2013

Fighting in Hka Ya, between Laja Yang and Laiza continues.

2 Helicopters landed at Lupi, near Pang Wa, close to the Border Mark 5 and Border Mark 6 IDP Camps, dropped Troops and weapons.

Total of 12 villages with 1,339 persons trapped in Gaw Gwi vally, the west of Banmaw (the west of Irrawaddy River Bank), and the north of Shwegu.

26th January 2013

 14:06

Subject: Please pray for all the Kachin- Hka Ya, the last post to Laiza

Dear all,

This morning, Myanmar Govt Army has stormed Hka Ya Bum, the last post to Laiza for more than 1,280 times within one hour with 120MM, and the KIA army needed to withdraw its troops from that post. That means, Laiza is in total danger.

In the north, Civilians, living in the IDP Camp in the Border Post Camps 6 and 8 are injured from the Gov’t Army’s motor shells. Don’t know the number of injured persons yet but the reporters are on the way.

Please pray for Kachin.

KJ

26 February 2013

231400 Namti, Lagat Kawk La Mai Seng Hkum age 21 has been accused as KIA soldier, arrested and beaten by the 8 troops from BA Military Operational Command (MOC) 3. He was later released.

23 February 2013: BA MOC 7 with 20 trucks and over 1,000 rice bags arrived at former KIA 6 battalion HQ putting up their demarcation flags.

242000 One big boat of arms and ammunition arrived and resupplied BA (MOC) 21.

24.2.2013 BA confiscated local trucks and transported arms and ammunition and food ration for their troops along the Bhamo-Loi Je motorway. BA also forced the local people to transport arms and ammunition from Maru Aura to Mu Bum by villagers own 30 horses.

240800-250820 In KIA 5-battalion area, over 90 troops of BA Sin Bo 141 arrived and now deployed at Pang Hkawn town. BA 309 Battalion Commander and troops are now stationed at Shwe Nyin Shan Buddhist Monastery.

251055-1530 KIA Scouting team led by KIA Lieutenant Dai Mau Muk Lung clashed with the combined forces of Burma Army (BA) Infantry Battalion 200, BGF 1002 and government formed Peoples Militia troops at north of Lawk Hkawng near point 1344. BA lost 8 including 2 lieutenants. KIA obtained numbers of arms and ammunitions. BA troops always following KIA troops apparently to force clashes.

251100 At KIA Battalion 36 area, Bang Sai Hpai Kawng: BA infantry battalion 242 and Kachin voluntary village defence militia (MHH) clashed for 10 minutes. Casualties not reported.

250200 BA convoy of 26 trucks with some 500 troops arrived Daw Hpum Yang and further proceeded along Hpa Ke-Ming Mun motorway. At Man Sai, the convoy unloaded the troops and continued with the remaining arms and ammunition to Na lung, La Ja Yang.

251630: Three ICRC trucks enroute to Laiza, between Banmaw (Bhamo) and Sin Lum, while entering Loije town were blocked by the BA infantry battalion 437. After many negotiations the ICRC was allowed to enter Loije town and leave for Mai Ja Yang but not Laiza.

The following, supplementary information is provided by ‘Daughter of Jinghpaw’

20th January 2013

Hpakant Area

15:00 – KIA  troops has to abandon 6th Battalion Area located in Ginsi Sengra village for continuous  heavy artillery pounding.

The fighting  BA troops:

Ts.K.Hk 7 (Ts.K.Hk =Tactical Command force)

88 Division (since  2011 Sept.)

99 Division

33 Division

101 Division

Ts.K.Hk 3

Ts.K.Hk 21

Ts.K.Hk 1

Ts.K.Hk 16

Ts.K.Hk 7

N.M.Hk unit 12 (North Western Command)

M.P.Hk unit 26 (Northern Command)

Y.M.Hk unit 27 (East Northern Command)

Heavy Weapon unit  10

Air force:  Helicopter. Jet Fighter. Bomber.

All fighting units together – 142,  these numbers are only on the record, other helping units not included.

Using that much forces, can we say  the Burmese Army stop military operation except defence  itself? In the Burma history we never heard before, never happened such big operation. The operations, wipe out the BCP, and Menapalo attack is incomparable to this attack.

21st January 2013

Operational intention –

Burma Army intend to clear and seize the Hkaya Bum area within 24 hrs and started the last operation from 19th January 2013 morning.

Till now they can not access the their intention.

After they fulfil or complete their aim, Thein Sein Government may announce the whole country cease fire announcement.

The fighting in Lagat Bum is so heavy now, that we could hear, and feel the loud noise at 12:00 Noon. Hka Ya in Laiza is also heavily attack now.