Naw Seng

Naw Seng—Born in 1922 in Man Peng Loi village, Lashio township, Shan State. Joined the Burma Frontier Force, Lashio Battalion. Led resistance against the Japanese in Kachin Hills during World War II; Jamedar in British-organized Northern Kachin Levies. Twice awarded the Burma Gallantry Medal by the British for his role in the anti-Japanese resistance. Captain in the 1^st Kachin Rifles in 1946; fought against the Communist Party of Burma in Irrawaddy delta region in 1948.

Defected to Karen rebel along with his batallion in February 1949. Led the upper Burma campaign against the Rangoon government and set up the Pawngyawng National Defense Force (the first Kachin rebel army in Burma) in November 1949. Retreated to into China form Mong Ko in northern eastern Shan State in April 1950.

In exile along with a few hundred followers in China’s Guizhou province until 1968. Vice military commander (under Than Shwe) of the first CPB unit that entered Burma on 1 January 1968. Military commander of northern eastern command in September 1969. Died under mysterious circumstances in the Wa Hill on 9 March 1972.