Burma Army troops move into Karen state, one killed in clash

Thu 27 Dec 2007
Joi Htaw, IMNA

Not less than 2,000 Burma Army troops marched to Karen State Kyainnseikyi Township and Three Pagoda Pass (TPP) areas where the Karen Nation Union has influence. A gun battle took place between the two sides at 4 pm in Thet-phyu-chung village in Kyainnseikyi Township yesterday killing one Burmese soldier and injuring two, sources from a cease-fire group in TPP said

IMNA tried to contact a KNU leader to confirm the news but his telephone was not available.

The Burma Army troops are from Infantry Battalion (IB) No. 28, IB 403, Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 338, 339, 36 and 403, 405 and 406 which are under Military Operation Management Command No. 8.

LIB No. 338, 339, IB No. 28 are active in Kyaik-Dein area, and 403, 405, 406 are in Pha-yar-ngou-tou area in Kyainnseikyi Township.

IB No. 28 is operating in Myaing Thayar village, Three Pagoda Pass Township.

There are already four battalions in Kyainnseikyi Township and Three Pagoda Pass Township and now troops are flocking to these territories because the junta wants the army in four more places in Mon and Karen ethnic areas.

A motorcycle trader said he met the soldiers on his way to Three Pagoda Pass border town and heard from a military officer that there were about 85 military trucks transporting the soldier and rations.

The Burma Army's offensive in Karen Nation Union territory is to clear the opposition army group because in this area a railway project is coming up in 2008 from Three Pagoda Pass to Thanphyuzayart, according to source close to military in Three Pagoda Pass.

More over, the military regime plans to station an artillery battalion in Chung-zone village area, according to sources close to authorities in TPP.