S.H.A.N : BATTLE NEWS BETWEEN THE S

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Subject: S.H.A.N : BATTLE NEWS BETWEEN THE SLORC ARMY AND KARENNI TROOPS

S.H.A.N : BATTLE NEWS BETWEEN THE SLORC ARMY AND KARENNI 
               ( KAYARNG OR PADAUNG ) TROOPS
June 06,1996

On 30.05.96, SLORC No. 516 LIB and 247 LIB and Karenni or Kayarng ( Padaung )
troops ( said to be wearing badges depicting buffalo and gourd; some wore
ear-rings; all spoke Kayarng and Burmese, no one spoke Shan ), 500-600 strong,
clashed at a place east of Taunggyi on the Taunggyi-Keng Tung motor road. It
lasted more than 6 hours and both sides suffered heavy casualties. This Karenni
( Kayarng or Padaung ) group had gone up to northern Shan State just after the
surrender of the MTA to the SLORC. It is speculated that they had gone up to
meet the leaders of SSNA-SURA for mutual understanding, mutual assistance and
cooperation.

The SLORC army got the news about their return heading south towards the
Shan-Karenni border, and lay in wait for them at the road section where they
were supposed to cross. But, at the end of the 6 hour-clash, the Kayarng managed
to pierce through the Burmese blockade and continued south. They were said to be
in the Loi Lai range area northwest of Murng Pan, preparing to continue south,
in early May. The Burmese were also trying to pursue them and block their way
from many different directions.

The SLORC army has launched an operation to chase and mop up some remaining
resistance forces in southern and central Shan State and during the time from
early Feb. to mid April had suffered heavy casualties in numerous skirmishes
with this Kayarng group and the SURA group, led by Maj.Yord Serk, who had broken
away from the MTA and still refuses to surrender, it is said.
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