File Photo: KIA soldier
Mizzima
The spokesperson for the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Colonel Naw Bu, told Mizzima that they received initial information that a Military Council fighter jet had been shot down on the morning of 16 January near Namphatka village in Kutkai Township in Shan State.
“We received the news that a junta’s jet has been shot down. But the ground forces did not inform us. However, many of them confirmed the news. I am still investigating the situation,” Colonel Naw Bu told Mizzima at 2:00 pm on 16 January.
The KIA has been fighting the Myanmar military’s 123rd Infantry Battalion for almost 20 days, and the Military Council has been defending with air support.
When contacted, Colonel Naw Bu, who is in charge of information and communication of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) centre, said that he had only heard the news of the downed jet initially.
It is still difficult to get confirmation due to the interruption of internet connections and phone calls in Kutkai township, northern Shan State.
The joint forces of KIA 4th Brigade, 6th Brigade and 10th Brigade have been conducting the offensive against the 123th Infantry Battalion stationed in Namphatka since 29 December 2023.
The KIA shot down a junta Mi-17 helicopter on 3 January that was delivering food and ammunition to the Napho military base in Waingmaw Township, Kachin State, killing all six junta soldiers on board.
The KIA and other resistance forces typically have limited anti-aircraft ability.
