BURMA: Shan State Army News

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SSARMY NEWS 
 
September 25, 1999
 
Battle News

On 21/5/99, at 09:00 hrs., SSA troops from township No.6, Province 666
led by Sai Harn exchanged fire with 40 SPDC soldiers of 515 LIB led by
Major Myint Aung at Wan Naa Tong village, Keng Kham Long tract, Mongkung
township. The casualties of the enemy were unknown. The Burmese shot
dead a villager named Sai Kyaw of Wan Nong.

On 30/6/99, at 15:00 hrs., SSA troops from 155th Battalion of 758th
Brigade had a skirmish with the combined force of Burmese troops and
Burmese-backed militia of Mong Hah on the hills south of Loi Maw, Wan
Kiu tract, Mong Yai township, northern Shan State. The Burmese lost one
soldier while SSA was intact.

On 31/6/99, SSA troops from 155th Battalion of 758th Brigade met with
the combined force of Burmese troops and Mong Hah militia near Wan Nong
Poong, Wan Kiu tract, Mong Yai township. The enemy lost one man, one was
wounded; SSA unhurt.

On 14/7/99, an engagement between SSA troops and the combined force of
Burmese troops and Mong Hah militia led by Lao Mar (a Chinese man) broke
out near Wan Mong Ngong, Mong Ngong tract, Mong Yai township. The
Burmese lost one man, one was wounded and the SSA captured one G-3
assault rifle with 20 rounds of ammunition and a short gun.

On 5/8/99 an SSA company led by Captain Sai Mawng from 158th battalion,
758th Brigade had a conflict with the Burmese troops for 10 minutes near
Wan Kung Kham, Harm Ngai tract, Mongkung township, southern Shan State.
SSA troops, on pursuing the retreating Burmese had a skirmish near Wan
Kawng Moo, Harm Ngai tract. The Burmese lost one soldier, two were
wounded and the SSA captured a walkie-talkie.

On 10/8/99, a 200-strong combined force of Burmese troops and militia
had a fight with SSA's 758th Brigade for two hours. The results are not
known.

On 12/8/99, from 15:45 to 19:00 hrs., a conflict occured between a
company of SSA men led by Lieutenant Sai Ngo of Hso Kharn Fah column and
the Burmese troops of 255th Infantry Battalion led by Captain Tin Htun
near Wan Look Khai, Wan Pan tract, Hsipaw township, northern Shan State.
The Burmese lost 3 men and 3 SSA were wounded.

On 12/8/99 at 23:00 hrs., by accident, the Burmese troops met and fought
their own troops, near Wan Look Khai, Wan Pan tract, Hsipaw township.
The results are unknown.

On 12/8/99 a 15 men strong SSA team from 758th brigade led by Captain
Zarling set an ambush north of Wan Nong Oon, Harm Ngai tract, Mongkung
township. The shooting with the Burmese troops lasted for 30 minutes.
The Burmese retreated to Harm Ngai leaving one cap and 2 rain sheets.

On 13/8/99 at 10:30 hrs., the Wan Parng militia had a skirmish with SSA
troops for 10 minutes. Casualties of militia troops were unknown.

On 14/8/99, from 13:00 to 15:00 hrs., a combined SSA force including 3rd
brigade, 16th brigade of SSA-North, 758th brigade, 154th battalion of
Hso Kharn Fah column led by Lieutenant Sai Ngo of SSA-South made a raid
on the Burmese garrison at Wan Pan, Wan Pan tract, Hsipaw township,
northern Shan State. The Burmese lost 6 troops, 4 assault rifles with 13
magazines, a complete map and a wireless set. SSA were intact.
On 15/8/99, from 05:00 to 06:00 hrs., a section of 159th battalion of
SSA's 758th brigade led by Lieutenant Sai La clashed with the Burmese
troops near the village of Kho Woe, Wan Nong tract, Hsipaw township. 2
Burmese soldiers were killed and SSA was intact.

On 16/8/99, from 16:00 to 16:30 hr., 3 men from 159th battalion of SSA's
758th brigade led by Corporal Sai Wi Ling fought the Burmese troops of
505th LIB at a place east of Sen Taw village, Mong Tung tract, Hsipaw
township. 1 SPDC soldier was killed. SSA suffered no loss.

On 16/8/99, a 45-men strong SSA platoon led by Lieutenant Sai Mawng from
158th battalion of 758th Brigade set a check-point for taxes on the way
between Laikha and Mong Nong, southern Shan State. Over 30 of SPDC
troops from 286th Light Infantry Battalion on their way from Laikha to
Mong Nong met with them near the south of Loi Tao (the old Burmese
military garrison of Mai Nyong Pho). A battle was fought from 14:00 to
15:45 hrs.
24 SPDC troops were killed. The rest carried the wounded and made a good
escape. SSA captured 12 guns, a wireless set, ammunition and 2 truck
loads of supplies. The guns captured were:
(1) 1 9mm pistol with 16 rounds and 2 magazines.
(2) 1 MMG (Medium Machine Gun), a chain magazine with 100 rounds.
(3) 1 RPG.
(4) 2 new sub-machine gun with 6 magazine and 41 rounds.
(5) 1 G4 assault rifle.
(6) 6 G3 assault rifles.
(7) 123 rounds for G3 and 15 magazines.
(8) One wireless set.

On 21/8/99, from 10:30 to 11:00 hrs., 9 SSA troops from 727th Brigade
led by Sergeant Sarm Lem ambushed SPDC troops at Hong Luk, south of Hui
Aw. The Burmese lost one soldier and 4 were wounded. SSA captured one
G-3 assault rifle with 148 rounds of ammunition and 6 magazines and also
destroyed one auto-mobile. SSA intact.

On 21/8/99, from 15:15 to 15:30 hrs., Korn Zerng column had a skirmish
with Burmese troops near Wan Pang Nim, Mong Sit tract, Namzarng
township. The casualties of the enemy were unknown. SSA safe.

On 25/8/99, from 08:00 to 09:15 hrs., Korn Zerng column had a battle
with 70 SPDC soldiers at Nam Hoo, east of Nong Larng, Mongkung township.
The enemy lost 5 troops and 10 were wounded. SSA suffered no loss.

On 26/8/99, from 05:00 to 05:30 hrs., SSA 154th Battalion of Hso Kharn
Fah column led by Captain Sai Ngo had a battle with the SPDC combined
force of 506th and 522th LIB at Wan Parn, Hsipaw township, northern Shan
State. The enemy lost 4 men (1 private, 1 corporal, 1 warrant officer, 1
lieutenant) and 8 were wounded. SSA captured 1 Carbine and a hand
grenade. One SSA soldier sacrified his life for the country.

On 29/8/99, at 12:25 hrs., Sergeant Saw Zing Na led his men from 727th
Brigade to attack SPDC troops at a place east of Kong Hue Min village
(near Thai-Burma border), Mongton township. The casualties of the enemy
were unknown. SSA captured one knapsack, 4 magazines and 80 rounds of
ammunition.

On 29/8/99, at 12:25 hrs., Sergeant Sarm Lem led his troops from 727th
Brigade to attack SPDC troops of 65th IB of Mongton at a place called
Htam Phar Khao, eastern Salween area. The Burmese lost 2 men (Captain
Hang Dal and a sergeant), and 11 were wounded (including one major). One
SSA soldier sacrified his life for our people and also 6 were wounded.

On 29/8/99, from 08:15 to 08:30 hrs., Sergeant Sarm Lem led a 24-strong
team from 727th Brigade to ambush Burmese troops at Nam Khem, 2 miles
west of Pung Pa Khem. After 2 of the Burmese troops were wounded, they
retreated to Pung Pa Khem. SSA captured one G3 assault rifle with more
than 500 rounds of ammunition, 8 grenades, 2 military caps, 2
haversacks, and one military identity card.

On 30/8/99, at 12:00 hrs., 80 troops, consisting of SPDC soldiers and a
militia group, made an assault on the SSA camp at Wan Kung Long, Mong
Mar tract. SSA broke up the camp and left before the assualt.

On 31/8/99, Sergeant Sai Yung led some troops from 241st Battalion of
Khun Sarng Ton Hoong column to capture a group of trafficking Lahu.
These drug traffickers had fled to gain refuge under the protection of
the SPDC garrison at Tump Tarm. Sergeant Sai Swe led his men and made a
fight with SPDC troops in the garrison for 15 minutes. The results are
unknown.

On 1/9/99, from 13:00 to 13:30 hrs., Sergeant Sarm Khuo led some men
from 157th battalion of Korn Zerng column and met with the combined
force of SPDC and militia at Kong Kham, Mong Torm tract. SSA captured 8
haversacks, (including that of one medic). The casualties of the enemy
were unknown. One SSA soldiers was wounded.

On 3/9/99, from 06:00 to 07:00 hrs., Lieutenant Sai Zarm led some men
from 155th battalion of 758th Brigade and had a skirmish with Burmese
troops at Mai Hung, south of Pang Salop. 2 of the enemy were wounded.

On 3/9/99, from 14:00 to 15:00 hrs., Lieutenant Sai Nong led some men
from the 152th battalion of Korn Zerng column, and met the combined
force of Burmese and militia men at Loi Kheo, Mong Mar tract. The
casualities of the enemy were unknown while SSA was intact.

On 4/9/99, from 12:00 to 13:00 hrs., Lieutenant Sai Zarm led some men
from 155th Battalion of 758th Brigade and clashed with some Burmese
troops between Pang Salop and Pang Khe, near Huay Nam Lup. One enemy was
wounded and SSA captured a dead pack mule with its full load.

On 9/9/99, at 21:00 hrs., the 756th Brigade sent 8 men led by Sergeant
Kham Lu against SPDC troops of 520th LIB. The skirmish lasted for 15
minutes. The casualties of the enemy were unknown while SSA safe.

SPDC distributes Poisonous Foods

Since July, 1999, SPDC troops have been distributing food to people,
which is said to be fatal  if ingested. Some of this food has been
identified as follows:

1. Rice that was poisonous - It is inflammable like petroleum when put
into a naked flame.

2. Bean Vermicelli - When roasted, it melts and becomes like a plastic
substance.

3. Cooking oil - said to be infected with germs from infected persons.

Sources from the Burmese soldiers said that they had seized this food
from the Burma-India border and it was redistributed for ethnic
cleansing in the Shan State. Our Shan States people (principally the
rural dewellers) should be careful of these dangerous foods.

SPDC lay mines around Mong Nong

Since 7/8/99, the SPDC soldiers of the Mong Nong garrison have been
laying land mines, within a radius of one mile to the north and west
side of their garrison.
When an ox or a cow stepped on one of their mines, the owner was forced
to pay a fine of 7 to 8 thousand kyat. The cattle were then butchered
and sold back to the villagers.

SPDC soldiers desert their post

On 1/8/99, 7 SPDC soldiers from the 249th IB (Kali-Kunhing township)
defected to the 7th Brigade of SSA-north at the north of Kali tract,
Kunhing township. These soldiers said they could not tolerate their
tyrannical officers, so they deserted leaving all their equipment
behind.

Burmese soldiers seize Militia of Loi Maw

On 25/7/99, the Military Intelligence of the SPDC seized 7 ethnic Shan
leaders of the Loi Maw militia, including Major Khun Yawd Mong, Sao Leng
Parng, 3 of his subordinates and 2 provincial officers. They were
tortured and locked up in Lashio, northern Shan State.
These 7 captives were tortured with electric shocks, and accused of
supporting the SSA-S on their way north. They are still in interrogation
until today. Later all the Shan officers in the militia were replaced
with Chinese and their top leader is "Yang Mue Yong".
"Yang Mue Yong" is enjoying Burmese support and is threating to
annihilate SSA-S within 3 months or all the villagers must relocate to
Wan Pan (the base of militia).
The Burmese are pressing the Shan militia men by saying that their
leaders will not be released, unless the SSA-S retreat from their area.
As a result, the ethnic Shan militia men are defecting to SSA-S
continuously.

KNLA Versus SPDC

According to the agreement of the five ethinc groups (i.e. ALP, CNF,
KNPP, KNU and SSA) who have met twice in this year of 1999, the KNLA
(Karen National Liberation Army) launched a campign of guerilla warfare
against the SPDC troops within the month of June (from 1st to 30th June
1999). Altogether there were 453 engagements.
In these campaign, 7 brigades and the 103rd battalion from KNLA were
involved. In this one month campaign the 342 Burmese soldiers were
killed, 829 wounded, 10 were captured and 30 defected with the loss of
60 guns.
The KNLA lost 31 troops, 11 were wounded and they lost 13 guns.

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION IN SHAN STATE

On 11 February 1999, about 100 SPDC troops of Kunhing-based 246th IB
raided the village of Piang Long, Ho Nong tract, near Kho Lam circle,
Namzarng township and looted the household belongings of a villager
named Lung Sarng Seat. The losses were:
1. 3 buffaloes worth 160,000 kyat
2. A pig worth 25,000 kyat
3. 20 viss of chicken
4. 8,000 kyat in cash
5. 5 packets of salt
6. 40 litres of cooking oil
7. some bed clothes and other household belongings.

On 17-18 February 1999, about 80 SPDC soldiers from 9th IB of Loilem
went to loot the village of Wan Nam Yuae Mu, Laikha township. The
victims were as follows:
1. Lung Tarn Nyo of Wan Pang Hu village lost 12 baskets of paddy and ½
basket of rice.
2. Lung Lu Chit of Wan Pang Hu village lost 8 baskets of paddy.
3. Pi Sarng Aw of Wan Pang Hu village lost 4 baskets of paddy and 2
baskets of rice.
4. Lung Nu of Wan Nam Yuae Mu village lost 20 baskets of paddy.
The household belongings of Lung Lu Khit and the whole house of Pi Sarng
Aw and Lung Nu were burnt to the ground by the soldiers.

On 22 February 1999, the same SPDC group, the 80 soldiers from 9th IB
went to loot Wan Sarm Khan. The losses were:
1. Lung Kyong Panya lost 160 baskets of paddy, one bullock, 1700 kyat in
cash, 10 bottles of cooking oil, 1 sack of salt and all household
belongings.
2. Lung Pinya lost 160 baskets of paddy, all his food and kitchen
utensils and bed clothes.
3. Pa Nuon lost 140 baskets of paddy, 110 kyat in cash, all her food and
household belongings.
4. Lung Sarng Ti lost 40 baskets of paddy and his household belongings.
5. Lung Mart lost one bullock, one basket of rice and some cooking oil.
6. Sarng Saw lost 12 baskets of paddy, some food, kitchen utensils and
his bedding.
7. Lung Sau lost 4 baskets of paddy, one bullock, 2 chickens, some
household utensils including 1000 kyat in cash.
8. Santa Wala lost 2 bullocks, some food, kitchen utensils and some
clothes.
9. Sumaetha lost one wrist watch, 3000 kyat in cash, some rice and some
clothes.
10. Sarng Mart lost one wrist watch, 2500 kyat in cash, some foods and
some clothes. The soldiers hit and kicked him several times.
11. Lung Sarng Yung lost one bullock, his house (about 150,000 kyat
worth) was burnt to ground.
12. Sarling lost one bullock, his 50,000 kyat worth house was also
burnt.
13. Mae Htao Phong was hit three times and lost 70,000 kyat worth of her
household belongings.
14. Sai Nyo had been kicked 2 times and lost 30,000 kyat worth of
belongings.
15. Sarng Ong 8 baskets of paddy, 2 baskets of rice, kitchen utensils
and some clothes.
16. Sarng Htun was kicked three times and lost 2,500 kyat worth of
belongings.
17. Pinya lost one wrist watch, 1500 kyat in cash and a pair of shoes.
18. Pinya Long lost 3 cattle.
19. Lung Htark lost 1 musket, 2,400 in cash, some foods and clothes.
20. Lung Sarnta lost one sword and 7,000 kyat in cash.

On 16 July 1999, Major Soe Tint, the commander of 286th LIB of Mong
Nong, Kesi township, levied 26 villagers from Nong Sorm tract to break
stones for them. These villagers had to break stones for them from
22/7/99 to 27/7/99. Villagers from other tracts, such as Mong Nang, Wan
Sark, Ho Poong were also levied. They were forced to break stones and
carry heavy loads; if they failed, they were beaten until they suffered
from bruises and fractures.

On 17 July 1999, Corporal Soe Naing of the 286th LIB of Mong Nong, Kesi
township, accused Ai Swe (age 25 years, son of Lung Ong and Pa Seng of
Wan Loi Muot, Nong Sorm tract, Mong Nong town) of deserting from the
stone breaking site. Ai Swe was beaten by Soe Naing until both his arms
were broken.

On 18 July 1999, Corporal Soe Naing of 286th LIB, again accused Ai Nyunt
(age 21 years, son of Lung Wi and Pa Poong of Nong Sorm tract, Mong
Nong) of eating his food while breaking stones. Ai Nyunt was beaten
until his head and face were bruised and covered with blood.

On 31 July 1999, 6 SPDC soldiers from 505th LIB of Nam Lan robbed the
villagers of Nam Kong Morng, Wan Nong tract, Hsipaw township, northern
Shan State. The villagers lost 2½ baskets of rice, 27 baskets of paddy,
25 chickens, one torch light, one cutting knife, some food and some
clothes.

In August 1999, SPDC troops in Hsipaw township, northern Shan State,
ordered villagers to supply them with 100 lengths of bamboo for each
village. These villages were Wan Soe, Wan Nong, Wan Parn, Poong Len,
Soap Tung, Paing Sai, Mong Lar, Wan Karng, Mong Noi, all in Hsipaw
township.

On 1 August 1999, SPDC soldiers from 525th LIB of Wan Hart garrison,
Langkhur township, went to shoot and loot the villagers of Wan Kho Morn
and Wan Kong Mai Sark, Loi Ho tract, Maukmai township. 
The losses from Wan kho Morn were as follows:
1. Lung Ingta lost 15,000 kyat worth of belongings
2. Lung Parng Sai lost 35,000 kyat worth of belongings
3. Koo Na lost 12,000 kyat worth of belongings
4. Zingta lost 7,000 kyat worth of belongings
The losses from Kung Mai Sark village were:
1. Lung Htar lost 40,000 in cash and his house was burnt.
2. Lung Wi lost 1,700 kyat worth of belongings
3. Nanti lost 2,000 kyat worth of belongings
4. Sai Ooi lost 1,200 kyat worth of belongings
5. Nyanna lost 4,000 kyat worth belongings
6. Nang Ae lost 2,000 kyat worth of belongings
7. Nang Ying Long 900 kyat worth of household belongings.
8. Pi Sarng Ae, son of Lung Yien and Nai Saw was wounded in the arm when
the soldiers opened fire.
After that the Burmese soldiers ordered the villagers of Wan Kong Mai
Sark to move to Wan Kung Lin Muk and Wan Mai Nui Sen. 2 weeks times was
given (until 15/8/99), after which they would be identified as
insurgents and killed on the spot.

On 1 August 1999, Burmese soldiers from 505th LIB of Nam Lan garrison
robbed the villagers of Wan Seo, Wan Nort, Wan Loi Vieng, Wan Kho Wuo,
Wan Nong tract, Hsipaw township, northern Shan State. The losses were:
1. Wan Nort - 3 baskets of polished rice, 30 chickens and 2 bottles of
cooking oil.
2. Wan Kong Morn - 2½ baskets of rice, 25 chickens and a torch light. 
 
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