Three military council soldiers from the military column which advanced to Palwayshwe village in Katha Township of Sagaing Region, defected to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), according to Katha People’s Defense Force (PDF).
At around 6 am on 3 December, Company-2 under the Katha Township PDF attacked a big vessel leaving Katha for Palwayshwe village, with heavy shells, according to an official of Katha PDF.
“Three soldiers defected to the KIA’s Brigade-8. Some soldiers ran away as the army suffered heavy casualties following the attack on the military column near Palwayshwe, an official of Katha PDF said.
The military column has a strength of around 40 soldiers under Division-88. Three soldiers defected to the KIA. Around 15 soldiers escaped, he said.
Around 20 soldiers on the Thankhun vessel were wounded. The vessel turned back, a source close to KIA’s Brigade-8.
“Two of five shells hit the vessel. Some soldiers ran away as the army suffered huge losses. Around 12 of 15 soldiers disappeared, he said.
In the afternoon, the vessel retreated to Katha along with the wounded soldiers, according to local residents.
Palwayshwe village is KIA’s Battalion-1 Territory while Ngaoh and Mabein located in the west of Palwayshwe village is in the KIA’s Battalion-12 Territory, the source close to the KIA.
The military-owned newspapers announced on 3 December that the soldiers who are absent without leave and the deserters can return to the army. The army will offer a pardon to the soldiers who have a desire to resume their duties.
Katha Township Administration Body have issued the statements twice, calling on non-CDM staff to defect. A total of 56 soldiers and police defected after the release of the first statement and an additional 29 soldiers and police members defected after the release of second statement, according to the Katha Township Administration Body.
Sent by KNG