A Myanmar junta convoy of over 180 vehicles carrying roughly 1,000 troops has reached the border between Chin State and Magway Region as the regime ramps up its offensive against Mindat and Kanpetlet in southern Chin State.
The column departed Minbu in Magway Region on September 19, traveling through Pwintbyu and Salin before arriving on September 20 at Directorate of Defence Industry 25 (DDI 25), a weapons and ammunition manufacturing facility in Laungshey, Saw Township.
Local resistance forces estimate the column, currently stationed at DDI 25, will soon advance toward Saw Town. Following the convoy’s arrival, junta authorities cut telecommunication networks around Laungshey.
The regime has also deployed large troop contingents along key transport routes, including the Saw–Minlel–Theekone and Taungpoetgyi–Karka–Laungshey roads, according to the resistance-led Saw Township People’s Administration.
Since May, the military has mounted a sustained offensive targeting southern Chin State from Saw and Magway townships, deploying around 4,500 troops over the past four months.
Resistance forces assess that the latest influx of 1,000 troops aims to secure full control over the Yaw region, re-establish stalled administrative control, and escalate pressure on resistance-held towns across southern Chin State.
On September 19, the National Unity Government’s (NUG) Magway Region People’s Administration reported that the reinforcing column includes Shan State–based units, troops redeployed after abandoning bases in Madaya Township, Mandalay Region, and forces under Light Infantry Division (LID) 88, headquartered in Magway.
However, Captain Zin Yaw, a defected former junta officer involved in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), offered a different assessment, stating the convoy primarily comprises troops from 10 battalions under Bago-based LID 77.
“The column of over 180 vehicles and roughly 1,000 personnel consists of 10 battalions under LID 77,” Captain Zin Yaw told Khonumthung News. “They reportedly brought three months of rations and supplies, alongside trucks carrying Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS). The junta likely plans to employ rocket artillery in its mountainous operations against Mindat and Kanpetlet.”
He added that LID 77 previously operated in Paletwa Township between 2018 and 2020 using this same advance route.
According to local resistance sources, the convoy is equipped with MLRS platforms, heavy artillery, various drone systems, and signal jammers.
“LID 99 troops already operating in Mindat and Kanpetlet recently pulled back slightly and dispersed,” Captain Zin Yaw noted. “It appears they plan to link up with arriving LID 77 forces for a unified push to capture Mindat and Kanpetlet. How strongly Chin resistance forces can hold these areas will be crucial.”
As junta troops conduct ground offensives and position forces along the Chin-Magway border, local resistance groups have urged civilians to remain on high alert for surprise ground raids, airstrikes, and artillery bombardment.