A total of 122 members of the Myanmar army and junta-aligned Border Guard Forces (BGF) were killed in 200 clashes between the Myanmar army, BGF, and Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) in Hpapun (Mutraw) District – an area controlled by Karen National Union (KNU) Brigade 5, Mutraw News reported 2 June.
Among the junta and BGF members killed in the fighting were a company commander, two deputy company commanders, and four sergeants, and 48 others were also injured.
Two KNU members were also killed and ten others injured in the fighting, the statement said.
In addition, the joint resistance forces attacked and destroyed six military council logistics vehicles, according to Mutraw News.
According to reports, the military council has begun using aircraft for its logistical operations after its land transports were frequently intercepted by the joint resistance forces.
Colonel Saw Kler Doh, spokesman for KNU Brigade 5, told some local media that the military council had begun using helicopters after experiencing difficulties supplying rations by land.
In May, BGF troops fired artillery at civilian quarters more than 50 times, killing one civilian and wounding two others, Mutraw News reported, citing monthly data from Brigade 5.
In addition, Myanmar military council soldiers seized 280,000 THB and 100,000 MMK as well as cell phones and civilian-used walkie-talkies from civilians in Hpapun District, Mutraw News reported.
Of the KNU’s seven brigade areas, Hpapun District, controlled by Brigade 5, has been the scene of frequent fighting and the most affected by airstrikes by the military regime.
In April of this year, there were more than 250 clashes with regime troops, in which 90 junta soldiers were killed and 60 others injured.
During this fighting, the regime carried out airstrikes four times and fired nearly 40 artillery shells, killing one resident and injuring eight others, according to KNU’s Brigade 5 on 6 May.
Sent by KIC.