The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and allied forces successfully shot down two out of three military council helicopters that were attempting to bring reinforcements to Banmaw city in Kachin State, as confirmed by KIA spokesperson Colonel Naw Bu. The incident occurred after 1 PM on May 20th, when three military helicopters were attempting to land at Strategic Command 21 in Banmaw city. One Mi-17 helicopter was completely destroyed, while another sustained damage and was forced to make an emergency landing.
According to Colonel Naw Bu’s confirmation, the first helicopter crashed and burned approximately 15 miles from Shwegu city, while the second damaged helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in Shwegu. The battle for control of Banmaw city began on December 4, 2024, and despite more than five months of fighting, intense clashes continue between both sides.
The KIA has a documented history of successfully shooting down military council aircraft. On May 3, 2021, they shot down a military council Mi-35 attack helicopter between Myothit and Konla in Moemauk Township, Kachin State, resulting in the deaths of Major Kyaw Zeyar Htun, Captain Than Tun Linn, and Sergeant Kyaw Swa Aung. Additionally, on January 3, 2024, at 11:59 AM, the KIA shot down a Mi-17 transport helicopter that was delivering supplies to Naphaw military camp in Waingmaw Township, killing eight military council personnel on board and destroying the aircraft.
Furthermore, on January 16, 2024, the KIA successfully shot down a Chinese-made FTC 2000 G fighter jet belonging to the military council that was conducting bombing runs over the battle area near Namhpatkar village in Kutkai Township, Northern Shan State. These incidents demonstrate the KIA’s continued capability to effectively counter the military council’s air assets in their territory.
