Today, May 20, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and allied forces successfully shot down two out of three military council helicopters that were heading to Banmaw city in Kachin State. The first helicopter crashed in the forest west of Sinyin village in Shwegu Township, where the body of pilot Moe Htet Aung was recovered, according to KIA frontline sources.
The incident occurred after 1 PM when KIA joint forces precisely targeted three military helicopters that were bringing reinforcements to Strategic Command 21 in Banmaw. The first helicopter crashed in the forest area under KIA Battalion 5 territory west of the Irrawaddy River near Shwegu city. The helicopter was carrying a strategic commander and other military personnel, all of whom were confirmed dead. The second helicopter made an emergency landing in Shwegu after sustaining damage to its rotor, causing it to tilt sideways and rendering it unable to take off again.
The KIA has a history of successfully shooting down military council aircraft, including both helicopters and fighter jets. On May 3, 2021, they shot down a Mi35 attack helicopter between Myothit and Kunla in Moemauk Township, Kachin State, killing Major Kyaw Zeyar Htun, Captain Than Tun Linn, and Sergeant Kyaw Swa Aung. On January 3, 2024, they shot down a Mi-17 helicopter carrying supplies to Nahpaw military camp in Waingmaw Township, resulting in the deaths of eight military personnel. Additionally, on January 16, 2024, they successfully shot down a Chinese-made FTC 2000 G fighter jet that was conducting bombing missions over Namhpatkar village in Kutkai Township, Northern Shan State.
