Junta reinforcements waylaid

Casualties on the Burma Army’s side have been heavy as reinforcements rushing to relieve troops besieged by the Shan State Army (SSA) North in the three-cornered area in central Shan State were ambushed by the guerrillas, according to local and rebel sources.

Shan fighter at Nampook battle 13 July

Evening, a unit from Taunggyi-based Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 510 coming from Tong Lao, Mongkeung township, ambushed between Mongtung and Mongla, Hsipaw township

14 July

07:00, a unit from Loilem-based Infantry Battalion (IB) 9 ambushed 2 miles east of Kehsi
Afternoon, a unit from Tangyan-based IB 22 surprised near Wan Mong, Mongla tract, Hsipaw township
A unit from Mongnai-based LIB 518 ambushed near Nawng Lerh-Namlook, Monghsu township; 2 tolajis (farm tractors) seized to carry the wounded

All of them were reportedly heading for the Nampook battlefield, where Hsipaw, Kehsi and Mongyai townships meet, to relieve troops from IB 131, IB 286 and IB 287 surrounded by the SSA.

Shan fighters at Nampook battle

Fighting intensified after the SSA defenders took the key Burmese base Nampook on 12 July.

“Casualties are such they are dispatching helicopters from Taunggyi to pick up the wounded at Kehsi,” said a local. “Security also is such telephone lines are being cut off every time something big is on the way.”

Sources confirm no bombs were dropped by the visiting plane (s) on 13 July. “The bombs would have hit not only the SSA but their own men,” said a Shan officer.

The Burma Army appears to be spreading itself thin between security concerns for the rear as well as the reinforcements for the fronts in Kachin, Karen and Shan states, according to a Burma watcher in Thailand. “I see no non-local units fighting against the SSA North”, he said.