Junta Preparing A Big Offensive Against Shans

Junta Preparing A Big Offensive Against Shans?  

Latest reports from the border indicated that the Burmese Army is preparing an extensive offensive against Yawdserk's Shan States Army. 

A report from the local troops under the Golden Triangle Command of Maj-Gen. Thein Sein, troops from outside the command and even from the Burma Proper were being brought up, said the sources. 

On 15 September, 22-trucks transporting 400 troops from 10 battalions arrived in Mongton to reinforce the estimated 1,000 troops already stationed in Poonpakhem and Nakawngmu, just north of BP-1, opposite Chiangmai Province of Thailand. 

"Among them are LIB 213 from Yemun Garrison, Htauk-kyant 

1. LIB 224 from Bokpyin, Mergui, 

2. IB 36 from Kyonpyaw, Bassein 

3. IB 33 from Tangyan, Northern Shan State 

212nd Signal Battalion from Taunggyi and a battery from the 19th Artillery Battalion. They really mean business", reported the source from BP-1. 

"They also are giving away the element of surprise, the most important assurance for victory", said a retired Shan Commander in Thailand. "I don't know what took them so long to begin the attack". 

The campaign against the Shans' Brigade 727 commanded by Maj. Ternkhurh and active in the area was reported by sources as the result of the misfired ambush against the Shans on 29 August, when one captain and a sergeant-major were killed and the IB 65 commander was wounded. 

"The captain was said to be a son of a big shot from Burma's Air Force", said a source, though he was unable to identify who. 

Another source from the SSA agreed. "A few months ago, he received a transfer order for his misbehavior. But within 24 hours, he was back in his post at BP-1". 

The reporter from Fang, Chiangmai Province, however said, "There are commands and countermands with regards to whether they should launch an attack just because a favorite son was killed in action".