The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) joint forces shot down two out of three military council helicopters heading to Banmaw city in Kachin State today, resulting in the death of a military council strategic commander and his team. The incident occurred after 1 PM when the KIA forces targeted the military reinforcement helicopters heading to Strategic Command 21 in Banmaw. The first helicopter crashed in the forest area of KIA Battalion 5 territory west of the Irrawaddy River near Shwegu town, while the second helicopter made an emergency landing in Shwegu with a broken rotor, causing it to tilt to its side.
According to KIA frontline sources, the strategic commander and his team who were aboard the first helicopter were all killed in the crash. KIA forces have already reached the crash site to confirm the incident. The KIA has previously demonstrated its capability to successfully shoot down military council helicopters and fighter jets on multiple occasions.
On May 3, 2021, the KIA shot down a military council Mi35 attack helicopter between Myitkyina New Town and Kunla in Moemauk Township, Kachin State, killing Major Kyaw Zeyar Htun, Captain Than Tun Linn, and Sergeant Kyaw Swa Aung. Later, on January 3, 2024, they shot down an Mi-17 helicopter carrying supplies to Nahpaw military camp in Waingmaw Township, resulting in the deaths of eight military council personnel.
On January 16, 2024, the KIA also successfully shot down a Chinese-made FTC 2000 G fighter jet belonging to the military council when it attempted to bomb the battle area near Namhpatkar village in Kutkai Township, Northern Shan State. These incidents demonstrate the KIA’s increasing capability to defend against the military council’s air operations and effectively counter their air force strength. The recent successful operations against military aircraft indicate the growing sophistication of the KIA’s anti-aircraft capabilities and their ability to challenge the military council’s air superiority in the region.
