The Karenni resistance joint forces shot down a military helicopter during the ongoing fighting in Hpasaung Township, Karenni State, at around 11:00 a.m. on May 6, according to the Karenni resistance forces.
“It’s right the helicopter was shot down. I heard the helicopter returned to the Bawlakhe strategy military camp after being shot, and crashed on the way before reaching the military camp,” the Karenni Army (KA) commander confirmed.
Regarding the shooting down of the military helicopter, an information official from the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) confirmed that “The Karenni resistance joint forces were able to shoot it down at 11:00 a.m. in Hpasaung Township today.”
Currently, the fighting between the military junta and the Karenni resistance joint forces is still intense in Hpasaung Township, and the helicopter that was shot down may be a Mi 35 attack helicopter, according to the information officer of the KNDF, and the details of the situation are reportedly still being investigated.
An official of the Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC) further confirmed, “It’s right. I heard generally that the helicopter was shot down and it was also confirmed.”
In June of last year, Karenni resistance forces shot down a K8W fighter jet of the junta in Ywa Thet fighting in Karenni State.