Chin resistance groups have slain 63 junta soldiers in attacks on a Burma Army convoy (BA) on its way from Falam to Hakha in northern Chin State.
According to Chin National Front (CNF) spokesperson Salai Htet Ni, the groups have been targeting the 200 BA soldiers travelling in 27 trucks since 8 July, during which time only resistance fighter died. However, up to 3 people were seriously injured by gunfire and 10 lightly injured.
On Wednesday 13 July, Salai Ah Lawng, a member of the Matupi Chinland Defence Force, was killed near Ramhta Lo village on the Falam-Hakha road.
The CNA and other groups have carried out eight landmine and drone attacks on the junta forces near Ramhta Lo, Tarl and Talang Zar, which is why they’ve suffered so many casualties, says Salai Ah Lawng.
“We ambushed them when they entered civilian villages that had already been burnt down by BA soldiers.”
On Wednesday, the resistance groups forced the convoy from Dok Htet back to Ramhta Lo.
According to CNA, the BA set fire to 35 houses in Tarl and Talang Zar.
“They stayed near our village last night…there’s only seven houses left standing,” said a resident from Tarl who’d fled before the soldiers arrived.
There were 41 houses in the village, which is about 14 miles from Falam town, before the soldiers burnt most of them on 9 July and in October, when the army torched 11 houses.
Since 29 June, the regime column has been travelling from Kalay in Sagaing Region towards Hakha.