Kachin Independence Army ‘shoots down’ regime helicopter in Bhamo

The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) confirmed to DVB that its armed wing, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), shot down one of three regime logistics helicopters en route to the Military Operations Command (MOC 21) headquarters in Bhamo Township of southern Kachin State on Tuesday.

“Our fighters fired at the three helicopters and hit two. One crashed and exploded in the forest, while the other was forced to make an emergency landing in Shwegu town,” Naw Bu, the KIO spokesperson, told DVB. He did not disclose the total number of casualties. 

The regime information team announced that its helicopter crashed due to a technical malfunction. The KIA reported they shot down a transport helicopter in Kachin’s Waingmaw Township on Jan. 3, 2024 and a fighter jet over northern Shan State on Jan. 16, 2024.