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NEWS - Burma Army Counter-Attacks S



Subject: NEWS - Burma Army Counter-Attacks Shans

17 December 1999

No: 12 - 17

Burma Army Counter-Attacks Shans

Commander of the Kengtung Front reported Burma Army had resumed their 
attacks against Shan positions after the latter's ambush which led to
the 
seizure of 400,000 amphetamine tablets on Monday.

IB 331 of Tachilek, reinforced by IB 316 of Ta-lerh, reopened its
attacks 
on the Shan State Army's positions at Loi Maemaw, opposite Mae Faluang 
District, Chiangrai Province, at 17:00 until 20:30. "Their casualties
are 
not known", said Maj. Kham Hpamong a.k.a Kornzuen, Commander of the 
Kengtung Front, in a telephone interview. "For us, the only losses we
have 
sustained so far were on Monday (13 December) when Sergeant-Major Pi was 
killed and one private was wounded".

The battle began when Black Panther's Claws Column 1, commanded by Capt. 
Liangzuen, ambushed a drug convoy escorted by elements from IB 331 and
the 
Nampoong militia unit, on 13 December, when they killed 5, wounded 1,
and 
captured 1.

Among the loot, apart from the arms and ammo, were 4 haversacks, each 
containing 100,000 amphetamine tablets, which were handed over to the
Thai 
officials two days later.

The Burmese army then shelled and charged the Shans' fire bases in Loi 
Maemaw, beginning 14:30 on Wednesday, 15 December, until 18:00. "But the 
attack was repulsed", he said.

"If S.H.A.N.'s reporters are not afraid, they should be with us like
those 
from Channel 3, Channel 7 and ITV", he challenged mockingly.

Two other mobile columns, Black Panther's Claws 2 and Black Panther's
Claws 
3, are commanded by Capt. Kham Khawng and Capt. Khamsa respectively.

"The SSA's campaign against drugs has been styled 'Operation White
Tiger'", 
he explained.

"We expect another attack at dawn", he added. "But I'm not worried,
because 
all of us are in high spirits".

///END\\\
For further information, please contact S.H.A.N. at:
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P.O. Box. 15, Nonghoi P.O., 50007, Chiangmai, Thailand
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