Enfeebled by mutiny and a serious casualty rate, the Royalists ended Operation Fa Ngum with a weak defensive blocking position at Laongam on Route 23.

In the wake of this failure, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) backed Laotian guerrillas and Royal Lao Government (RLG) military irregulars made further attempts at severing the Communist logistical lines of communication.

[4] On 1 April 1972, the regimental-sized Groupement Mobile 32 (GM 32) was helilifted over the opposing People's Army of Vietnam's 9th Regiment to land in its rear.

However, GM 32's seizure of Ban Ngik would cut the 9th Regiment's supply line, which led eastwards along Route 23 into the Trail.

It penetrated five kilometers into a Communist supply depot hidden in deep foliage and laced with foot trails and communications wiring.

With GM 32 bolstered by some Cadillac Gage Commando armored cars, an improvised task force moved east against Ban Ngik.

On 27 April 1972, the operation ended when GM 32 was withdrawn back to Pakxe before they could rebel again, leaving the remainder of the task force to man a feeble blocking position.

The PAVN 9th Regiment had rebounded after GM 32's departure, and retaken Laongam as the rainy season shut down military movement.