Mizzima News

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) said that they have destroyed 10 bridges so far to prevent heavy weapons moving closer to their front lines, captured three government soldiers including a lieutenant and arrested three civilians.

‘We have destroyed about 10 bridges but we destroyed only the bridges which were used by government troops in their offensives. This is a normal military tactic’, KIO Lieutenant Colonel Yaw Htone told Mizzima.

The KIO has destroyed wooden bridges, concrete bridges and suspension bridges in Phakant, Moemouk and Waimaw townships in Kachin State.

KIO central committee member La Nan said that the KIO arrested Lieutenant Thiha Naing a.k.a. Thet Naing Aung; Private Tun Zaw and Private Phyo Wei Aung of the Light Infantry Battalion No. 342 at near Pan Wah village in Namtu Township, Shan State, on Thursday.

Three civilians found with the soldiers were also arrested and detained, he said.

The bridges destroyed are the Nam Phat Kha stream suspension bridge connecting

	Bridges destroyed
1	Nam Phat Kha suspension bridge connecting Tapein hydroelectric dams in Moemauk Township
2	Mayan Stream bridge in Waimaw Township
3	Mali stream bridge on Waimaw-Laiza highway
4	Lanna stream bridge on Waimaw-Kampaiti highway
5	Namsar stream bridge on Tarmonye-Monsi road in Shan State
6	Bridge connecting Karmi and Lonekhin in Phakant Township
7	Bridge between Hopin and Nammon village on Phakant-Gwikhar road
8	Namsan stream concrete bridge between Warazwap and Bangkok villages
9	Namsankha stream wooden bridge near Namsan village between Warazwap and Bangkok villages
10	Maykha River suspension bridge, 59 miles south of Chibwe Town

the Tapein hydroelectric dam in Moemauk Township; Mayanchaung bridge in Waimaw; Mali stream bridge on Waimaw-Laiza highway; Lanna stream bridge on Waimaw-Kampaiti highway; Namsar stream bridge on Tamoenye-Monsi highway in Shan State’ bridge on Phankant-Karmine-Lonekhinhighway; a bridge connecting Hopin and Namma villages on the Phakant-Gyikha highway; Namsam stream concrete bridge connecting Warazwap-Bangkok villages; the Namsamkha wooden bridge near Namsam village between Warazwap and Bangkok villages; and the Maykha River suspension bridge, 59 miles south of Chibwe Township.

Military analysts said that some earlier destruction of bridges had only limited results.

KIO and local residents said that there was a small clash between KIA and government troops about two miles from Manhsi village in Moemauk Township on Wednesday night.

Local residents said that the Burmese authorities are giving military training to convicts in Bhamo Township where minor clashes have occured. Also firefighters, policemen and people’s militia members are being provided military training in Myitkyina, the capital city of Kachin State.