Myanmar gov't troops engaged in fighting with Kachin armed group as wood smuggling found

Myanmar government troops have been engaged in fighting with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) as wood smuggling was found in Mansi, northernmost Kachin state, over the past three days amid peace talks in Yangon.

According to the state radio and TV on Tuesday night, as the government's air force was undergoing training flight last Friday, it found a long convoy laden with wood and suspected of smuggling the log wood under the cover of KIA.

When combing the area to stop the convoy the next day, the government troops claimed they were attacked by the KIA and counter-attacks had to be launched using air strikes.

Over the three days from last Saturday to this Monday, nine engagements were made between the two sides with the government troops seizing 27 wood-laden trucks used in smuggling.

The government troops also occupied two top hills in the battle, the report said, adding that the KIA was retreating.