The Matupi Chinland Defence Force (CDF) engaged in a skirmish with about 120 soldiers of a regime column coming from Matupi town after it attacked Ram Tein, near where the resistance fighters were in southern Chin State.
Ko Naing John Keim, CDF spokesperson for Matupi, said the army took a lesser road through the jungle where the resistance groups retaliated with light and heavy weapons.
As they received intelligence about the direction of the columns, he said they were able to withdraw from the village area in Matupi Township without any casualties.
Chin Community Affairs and the local IDP support committee helped over 60 civilians from Ram Tein, Champyan and Montung to flee the battle.
The army is holding up a couple of miles from Ram Tein. As more fighting is expected, CDF has issued a travel warning to avoid the road from Matupi to Mindat.