Junta troops reclaim

Junta troops reclaim "captured" outpost

Reporter: Hawk from Mae Faluang 

A Shan commander told S.H.A.N. this morning that junta forces have taken back the outpost attacked and captured by the Shans yesterday morning. 

Lt-Col Kawnzuen, Commander, Kengtung Front Army, Shan State Army, said units from LIB 329 (Monghpyak), commanded by Lt-Col Toe Myint, retook the Zarngmob Hill across from Phahee Village (Pong-ngam Tract, Maesai District, Chiangrai Province) about 15 km southwest of Maesai late in the afternoon yesterday. 

The Shans, after their successful attack on the outpost held by a forward unit from Company 4, IB 244 (Kengtung) yesterday morning, left it vacant. "We have no need to stay there and fight a pitched battle," said Kawnzuen. 

The replacement troops, coming in from Tachilek in trucks, reportedly requested permission to use Thai territory in order to reach the outpost but were refused by the Thai officer in command. 

A source told S.H.A.N., "Were they allowed to go by trucks, it would have taken them only 5 minutes to reach Zarngmob hill, but now it took them more than three hours trudging over the hills. Of course, it was harder on their civilian porters who had to carry most of their equipment." 

The Burma Army in Tachilek had already requisitioned 600 porters from the local populace, according to sources there, but porters coming from as far as Kengtung, 102 miles further north, were also sighted. 

A skirmish was also reported near Loi Kawwan across from Mae Fah Luang District further west, but both sides retreated after a brief exchange of fire. 

Shan exiles in Thailand also came in 10-trucks this morning to donate food, blankets, and personal effects such as toothbrushes and soap and medicines. "It really is a boost to our troops' morale," said Maj-Pawng Khurh, Kawnzuen's second-in-command.