Battle in Myanmar's northernmost state ends: official
Xinhua, January 21, 2015 Adjust font size:
Battle between Myanmar's government troops and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has ended with peace prevailing after more than four days of clashes in Phakant, the northernmost state of Kachin, official sources said on Wednesday.
About 1,000 villager refugees originally residing in Aungbarlay and Kansi old villages, where fighting took place near the hilly area between the two sides, have returned to their home villages from where they temporarily took shelter following the retreat of the KIA forces two days ago.
The sources said these villagers were evacuated by the government troops at their request to flee the fighting, denying that 2,000 local people were trapped due to the battle.
The government side claimed the villagers have been under care with food supplies and medicines throughout the length of the battle.
In a battle with 30-strong KIA soldiers last Thursday, the government troops suffered some casualties, while seizing some ammunition, communication equipment and five motorcycles, the sources said.
During the clashes, some government outposts were attacked and five bridges were destroyed on the Moguang-Phakant road.
The government has accused the KIA of undermining peace and tranquillity in the region.
The clashes broke out last Thursday following the ambush by KIA on a convoy of Kachin state transport minister U Kaman Du Naw on Wednesday on a highway in the area. Endi