Fighting on Timit Plain in Hakha Township, Chin State has intensified since the junta launched a counter-offensive to take back strategic hills which it lost to the Chinland Council.
In July 2024 fighters allied to the Chinland Council captured key junta military hill camps such as Auto Hill, Lon Khar, Keivanzuang, and C3, on Timit (Thee Myit) plain about 8 km from Hakha Town, between Hakha and Thantlang towns.
Since then fighting had subdued in the area, but it has escalated with this latest junta offensive.
Since the first week in October the junta has been bringing troops, weapons and ammunition to Hakha Town in helicopters.
On 13 October 2024, junta Y12 aircraft repeatedly bombed the Timit plain and areas around Thantlang Town.
Also, on 13 October, seven truckloads of junta troops were sent from Hakha and deployed on Timit Plain.
On the morning of 14 October the junta troops attacked the Chinland Council positions on C3 Hill as the airstrikes in the area continued.
An officer from the Chin resistance said: “The clashes began around 8:00 am, when junta troops tried to advance from Timit plain and Thida Village towards C3. We don’t have details of casualties yet.”
He added: “It looks increasingly like Thantlang [Town] has become the last fortress protecting junta-controlled Hakha [Town]. If we manage to seize Thantlang, it will create a very risky situation for the junta. The junta’s military operations in Falam and Thantlang townships are directed by the tactical operations command in Hakha. If Hakha is liberated, it could lead to the liberation of the entire Chin State. Therefore, it’s crucial for the junta to hold on to Thantlang to maintain control over Hakha.”
Currently, the junta controls Hakha and Thantlang towns. The Chin National Force (CNF), an ally of the Chinland Council controls large areas Thantlang Township, whilst Hakha Township is under mixed control with the junta controlling some areas and Chin resistance forces controlling others.