New Democratic Army – Kachin
The New Democratic Army – Kachin, officially known as the Kachin Border Guard Force, is an armed insurgent group that operated in Kachin State, Myanmar. After signing a ceasefire agreement with the military of Myanmar in 1989, it was subsequently converted into a pro-Tatmadaw militia, eventually officially being converted into a Border Guard Force in November 2009.
History
The NDA-K was founded in 1989 by former Kachin Independence Organization officers Zahkung Ting Ying, Layawk Zelum, and Ying Zelum, when they led a communist faction of 700 soldiers that split from the KIO due to its political and ethnic differences. The KIO was led by members of the Jingpo subgroup, while the NDA-K is led by members of the Lacid subgroup. In the same year, the group agreed to a ceasefire with the government, and it de facto operated under the Tatmadaw's command as a "special regional task force".The group received a budget, rations, and supplies from the government. Additionally, 600 soldiers were paid by the government as part of the Myanmar Police Force. In November 2009, the group became one of the first insurgent groups under a ceasefire agreement to convert into a "border guard force". Some members have since joined the Kachin State Progressive Party to contest in the 2010 general election.
Myanmar civil war (2021 - present)
On 15 October 2024, as part of wider Operation 0307, the Kachin Independence Army captured BGF Battalion 1002 from the NDA-K following a week of fighting. It was one of three BGF Battalions held by the NDA-K.On 21 October, the KIA captured the town of Pang War from the NDA-K.
On 22 October, the KIA captured another BGF Battalion, Battalion 1003, near Kanpaikti, leaving only one Battalion left, Battalion 1001.
On 23 October, the KIA sealed off the home of NDA-K leader Zahkung Ting Ying in Pang War. Attempts to locate him in Pang War were unsuccessful.
On 31 October, KIA and PDF forces capture the last BGF Battalion 1001 HQ near Phimaw, Myitkyina District. NDA-K and allied Junta troops then fled to the Chinese border town of Ganfai.
On 20 November, the KIA captured Kanpaikti, the final stronghold of the BGF. The town's capture leaves only the city of Muse as the last border crossing along the China/Myanmar border under Junta control.
The KIA's victory at Kanpaikti has rendered the NDA-K virtually completely defeated.