Burma reportedly sends heavy artillery, personnel to bases near Chinese border

DVB ( August 11,2003)

We had already reported about the reinforcement of Chinese troops along the Burma-China border since early July. According to the latest reports, the SPDC (State Peace and Development Council) has also sent heavy artillery and personnel reinforcements to bases near the Chinese border.

A military source told DVB, the latest reinforcement of 12 heavy artillery and five artillery tow trucks were delivered from Meiktila Central Artillery Command to No 506 Artillery Command, based at Laukkai in Kokang region. Local residents said, a special train carrying the military hardware arrived at Lashio on 19 July and the cargo was then transported to Laukkai by military vehicles. The heavy artillery will reinforce No 079 Artillery Company under the Regional Management Command in Laukkai and No 083 Artillery Company based at Kunlong.

The source added, in a similar manner, new high calibre mortars were sent to No 1 Military Operations Management Command in Kyaukme and No 16 Military Operations Management Command in Hsenwi, under the Northeast Military Command, in the first week of July. According to unconfirmed reports, the artillery reinforcements currently sent were thought to be the ones bought from India and not made in China.

The latest figures of the SPDC War Office in Rangoon indicated that new Artillery Commands have been established since late 2000, and so far, nine have already been set up. Each Artillery Command consists of 10 Artillery Battalions. One Artillery Command each will be established at all the 12 regional military commands. Furthermore, it has been learned that preparations are under way to install air defence weapons and equipment in addition to the heavy artillery at the Artillery Commands.