Chin resistance groups were forced to withdraw from a village in Tedim Township, where the civilian fighters prevented the regime from helping 100 Burma Army (BA) soldiers who were trapped by the groups near another village.
According to the Civilian Defence Militia-Siyin (CDM-Sinyin), they retreated from Thaing Nguen on Sunday evening after a coordinated offensive by the junta involving air strikes, shelling and ground troops.
The spokesperson for the Zoland People’s Defence Force (PDF) told Khonumthung News that the regime attacked them near Hingzing, where the soldiers from BA are stuck, with howitzers from the Kalay University compound. At the same time, two attack helicopters bombed Chin resistance in Thaing Nguen.
He said at least 20 shells hit around the village during the fighting, which lasted all day.
“After the air strikes and artillery attack, their ground troops entered Thaing Nguen village,” the spokesperson said. The regime sent BA troops and soldiers from the Zomi Revolutionary Army, which supports the dictatorship, on foot.
At 5pm, the Chin groups withdrew from Thaing Ngue, CDM-Siyin reported. At least 40 BA soldiers were killed, while Chin National Army soldier Salai Cun Lian Sang and Mung Noe of the Zoland PDF died after accidentally detonating a hidden explosive device.
It’s not possible for Khonumthung News to independently confirm this information.
Since late last year, the regime has launched a large-scale clearance campaign to force out the various resistance groups fighting the army in Chin State and Sagaing Region.
Although vastly outnumbered and outgunned, the Chin groups have killed many regime soldiers since taking up arms in May last year.