A number of Chin soldiers were killed and wounded after resistance groups led by the Chin National Army (CNA) attacked the battalion headquarters of the Burma army in Thangtlang town in northern Chin State.
Salai Htet Ni, who is the spokesperson of CNA’s political arm, the Chin National Front, said that 13 resistance fighters died, and over 10 were wounded during the fierce fighting that lasted the whole day on Monday.
The Military Council defended itself from four locations, he explained, while jet fighters bombed them and shelled them with artillery from distant locations.
“They also suffered many casualties, but I didn’t know the exact numbers,” Salai Htet Ni said. However, he suggested that as many as 30 enemy soldiers perished in battle and many were hurt, pointing out that the dead and injured were sent to Hakha town in three military trucks protected by soldiers.
“Our troop seized some weapons from the Burma army during the clash. Fighting is likely to continue in Thangtlang. They have been preparing to defend their battalion headquarters, and we are preparing to attack them.”
The CNA was supported in battle by Chinland Defence Forces from Thangtlang, Hakha, and Zophei. The groups launched drone strikes on the battalion headquarters during the offensive.
In August, they attacked the headquarters twice when they suffered many casualties from airstrikes.
CNA and CDFs from Thangtlang, Zophei, and Hualngoram attacked the regime’s Haukabung camp in the town on 14 August, capturing two soldiers and seizing two RPGs, three assault rifles, and other military equipment.
At least three enemy soldiers were killed during the clash, and many other soldiers were wounded during the fighting.