A civilian resistance fighting Burma’s military in southern Chin State reported 12 of its fighters and 16 members of the Burma Army (BA) died during 8 days of conflict the last week of July.
After the temporary ceasefire collapsed, heavy fighting between the Chinland Defence Force (CDF) chapter in Mindat and BA has erupted in the township.
On July 22, CDF and BA troops clashed near Yang Chaung, where resistance fighter Salai Hong Oum and an unknown number of BA soldiers died in combat. The same day, CDF seized the Ma Kwi Ein Nu Police Station, during which a military captain and several soldiers and police defected to the civilian force.
The next day, CDF attacked a military column deployed to a Buddhist monastery in Yam Pan village, killing two soldiers and wounding several others. By July 24, CDF forced the column to retreat.
The same day, CDF chapters from Mindat and Matupi and the Chin National Front (CNF) ambushed a military column near Shit Wah Nu village.
The column was travelling from Matupi town to Mindat town. Chai Thang (CDF Mindat), Zaw Myint Pe and U Tun Shwe (CDF Matupi) and Ron Naw Hpun Thang (CNF) died in battle.
There were four CDF fighters and an unknown number of BA soldiers killed during fighting near Dant Dee village on July 25.
On July 27, CDF fighters from Mindat and Kanpetlet attacked a BA column near Kha Nan village, located between the two towns. At least 10 soldiers died, while CDF did not suffer any casualties during the ambush.
Three members of the Mindat resistance died, and another was wounded on July 29, when CDF attacked BA with help from fighters from Matupi near the milepost 74, located between the two towns.
CDF told Khonumthung News at least four BA soldiers perished, and there were several wounded. The following day, the same CDF chapters attacked the BA near milepost 76.
At press time, it was unclear if there were any casualties.