Officer among 18 found dead in junta helicopter downed by Kachin fighters

Spokespersons for the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) have confirmed that 18 military personnel were killed in a crash landing after anti-junta fighters shot down their helicopter near Bhamo, Kachin State on Tuesday. 

The city of Bhamo has become an urban battlefield in recent months, with regime forces fighting fiercely to repel assaults by KIA and allied forces seeking to take control. 

The downed helicopter was one of three that was transporting reinforcements and supplies to junta forces in Bhamo when it came under fire from KIA-led fighters on the ground.