Kachin Independence Army (KIA) seized an important Burma Army mountaintop camp and two military posts in Kachin State. The ethnic armed organization also arrested five soldiers, including a battalion commander and a sergeant.

An officer told NMG that KIA battalion 25 and 10 and soldiers from Northern Alliance seized the Tatmadaw camp on top of Alaw Bum, as well as Mong Pouk and Sheng Htong posts at the base of the mountain.

"Alaw Bum is an essential hilltop position for the area because it is located between Laiza and Mai Ja Yang, along the highway. With it, the Burma Army can cut off Laiza and Mai Ja Yang. From the hilltop, they can launch artillery attacks on KIA camps and IDP (internally displaced persons) camps in Jay Yant and Hpong Long Yang," the KIA officer told NMG.

A coordinated attack started at 5:30 pm on March 24, said Col Naw Bu, in charge of Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) information department. "The military posts are not far from Alaw Bum camp and since they protect the mountaintop camp, we attacked them all simultaneously."

Col Naw Bu told NMG they captured the mountain after the Burma Army launched an artillery attack on KIA's military post at Ferlam Bum on March 22. “They provoked us so we responded," he explained.

On March 23, Tatmadaw fired artillery at KIA Battalion 3, located in Sadon area, and attacked an IDP camp, with two shells exploding in China.

Fighting with Tatmadaw resumed in northern Shan State after the military staged a coup on February 1. Fighting in Kachin State started after KIA destroyed a Burma Army camp on March 11.