Junta Units In Shan State Undermanned

Junta Units In Shan State Undermanned

The Burma Army's units in eastern Shan State, known as the Golden Triangle Command, is believed to be woefully under strength, reported an informed border watcher. 

"One reason is desertion", he said. "But the other one is the intensive training courses which are being conducted by the Triangle Command headquarters in Kengtung". 

Considerable numbers of soldiers are, at present, absent from their units to attend these training courses, said the source. 

Trainings are reportedly being given for agriculture and livestock, non-Burmese local languages, artillery, tunneling, commando, medic and map reading. 

"For instance, IB 65 and LIB 225 in Mongton had informed Kengtung last week they wouldn't be able to send trainees to attend the sergeant-majors' refresher course and the explosives and booby-traps training", he said. "IB 43 (Mongpiang)also complained last week that its total strength had gone down to 196". 

With continued desertion and casualities, they were worried about their capability to undergo the period of the state of emergency decreed by Rangoon since the Bangkok embassy siege on 1-2 October.