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KACHIN STATE – The funeral of the eight officers from the junta air force: Major Zaw Myo Thant, Captain Kaung San Thein, Captain Soe Paing Kyaw, Warrant Officer II Win Myo Tun, sergeant Soe Lwin Oo, sergeant Myo Min Oo, sergeant Wai Yan Oo and sergeant Swan Htet Aung, who were killed in the crash of the Mi-17 helicopter shot down by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Waingmaw Township, was reportedly held at the Myitkyina Air Base on Tuesday (January 9) without the bodies.
On January 3 at 11:59 a.m., the junta helicopter that came to deliver rations to Nahpawt camp in Waingmaw Township was shot down by KIA and all eight on board were killed in the crash. The pilot of the helicopter was said to be Major Zaw Myo Thant, a graduate of the 45th batch of DSA.
A junta air force source shared that Major Zaw Myo Thant (42), Captain Kaung San Thein (33), Captain Soe Paing Kyaw (31), Warrant Officer II Win Myo Tun (42), sergeant Soe Lwin Oo (36), sergeant Myo Min Oo (37), sergeant Wai Yan Oo (31) and sergeant Swan Htet Aung (23) were on board the Mi-17 helicopter of the helicopter team 27 from Myitkyina Air Base died after KIA shot down the helicopter and that their funeral was held on Tuesday.
“What we know is that the funeral was held without bodies but just the photos and coffins at the Myitkyina Air Force Headquarters,” said a news source close to air force.
The pilot Major Zaw Myo Thant who was killed in the crash is said to be a relative of junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun as he was the nephew of his brother-in-law.
“Helicopter pilot Major Zaw Myo Thant from Myitkyina Air Base was the oldest son of Mr. Chit Naing and Ms. Khin Mar Thein from Twin Kone Ward, Yenangyaung. He was the nephew of Myo Myint Aung who is married to Zaw Mae Lone’s (Zaw Min Tun) sister Thin Thin Tun. So he was also a nephew of Zaw Mae Lone’s sister, meaning he was his relative as well. Major Zaw Myo Thant also had a younger brother who is a lieutenant in the junta army. Zaw Mae Lone’s sister is a school teacher. Only after the helicopter was shot down and their own blood was killed, they showed sorrow,” said an acquaintance.