Kachin Independence Army (KIA) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Hkawng Lum died of liver ailment on the evening of May 13.

According to his friends, Lt. Gen. Hkawng Lum died of liver ailment and was prepared to be buried on May 15.

"He is receiving medical treatment at China for a long time. It must have been three or four days since he arrived back here. He is a leader loved by people. His playing with guitar is also excellent. They are preparing to do the funeral tomorrow," he said.

The 62-year-old Lt. Gen. Hkawng Lum graduated from Yangon University with Bachelor of Science and joined the KIA after 1988.

Lt. Gen. Hkawng Lum was promoted from Deputy Chief of Staff to Chief of Staff of the KIA on January 3, 2023, and continues to serve as Chief Commander- No.1 Military Region.