Coalition forces under the Government of Chinland attacked and captured four strategically important junta camps in the border area between Hakha and Thantlang townships in Chin State, between 22 and 30 November 2024.
Two junta battalion commanders, five other military and police officers, and around 30 troops were killed in the offensives, according to the Chin National Front/Chin National Army (CNF/CNA).
The offensive against the four junta camps the Kiamtlang/Ruavazung, Thimyitchaung, Umpu Puaknak, and Point-3 camps, codenamed Operation Jericho, was launched on 22 November 2024. Its aim was to gain control of territory between the towns of Hakha and Thantlang in northern Chin State.
Salai Htet Ni, a spokesperson for the CNF/CNA, said: “Our operation began on 22 November, and we have now captured four camps—two in Hakha Township and two in Thantlang Township. The junta has primarily been countering us with airstrikes, relying on jet fighters.”
The Point-3 Camp in Thantlang Township was seized by the Chin coalition forces on 25 November.
On 30 November the coalition forces seized the Kiamtlang/Ruavazung camp, near Hakha Town in Hakha Township, from the junta’s Infantry Battalion (IB) 222. They claim to have inflicted heavy casualties on the the junta forces manning the base, including the deaths of a battalion commander and a police major.
Also on 30 November the coalition forces captured Umpu Puaknak camp in Thantlang Township and Thimyitchaung camp, which is near to Thimyitchaung Bridge in Hakha Township.
According to Salai Htet Ni, in the battles for the four bases, two battalion commanders with the rank of lieutenant colonel, three other army officers, two police officers and about 30 soldiers were killed. About 20 more junta personnel were captured, including one who was abandoned by his junta comrades due to his injuries. 50 weapons and a large cache of ammunition were also seized.
The Chin coalition also suffered casualties in the offensives. Four resistance fighters were injured and 15 were wounded. In the heaviest fighting at the Point 3 Camp, where the junta also had air support, three Chin fighters were killed and nine were wounded.
Salai Htet Ni said that the four captured camps were considered strategically important.
He said: “The camps we’ve captured are located between Hakha and Thantlang [towns], near the Hakha Tactical Operations Command. Being situated along the Hakha to Thantlang Road, these camps play a crucial role for the junta in sending reinforcements from Hakha to Thantlang. Given their location on the route connecting the two towns, these camps are strategically important both for the junta’s Hakha Tactical Operations Command and for us.”
He added that fighting in the area is ongoing as the Chin coalition is attempting to capture two remaining, smaller junta camps between the towns of Hakha and Thantlang.
The junta is using airstrikes and artillery fire to defend the camps because once they fall the junta the junta will have completely lost control of the road between the towns of Hakha and Thantlang.