A consortium of resistance groups has killed at least 21 Burma army soldiers in landmine attacks on two columns travelling to and from Kyaukhtu and Mindat in southern Chin State since 25 May, according to the Kanpetlet Chinland Defence Force (CDF).
A Kanpetlet CDF brigade commander, who spoke to Khonumthung News on condition of anonymity, said the 150-strong column was sent to Mindat to replace troops stationed in the town.
After the troop rotation, about 150 relieved soldiers and 50 soldiers guarding the column travelling back to Kyaukhtu were also attacked the groups.
Resistance groups reportedly killed at least 3 junta soldiers in a mine attack on 17 June. CDF from Kanpetlet and Nyaung Yang (Battalion 2) attacked regime troops in Kanpetlet Myoma police station with homemade rockets from inside the town on 16 June.
“Three rockets hit the police station, but we cannot say how many casualties there were,” said the commander.
After the attack, the Burma army retaliated by firing at least 10 shell, damaging a primary school and religious buildings, but there were no casualties.
As many as 30 regime solders are deployed in the police station, a government office, the education department for Kanpetlet Township, High School 1, the forest department office and a Buddhist monastery in the town.
On 29 May, Chin resistance groups killed at least 15 soldiers from the column on the Kyaukhtu-Mindat road, while one Chin fighter was seriously injured by gunfire.
The next day, the groups attacked the column of soldiers who were relieved in Mindat and returning to Kyaukhtu, killing three of them.
Besides the Kanpetlet CDF, the Mindat CDF, Gangaw Battalion 13 (also called The Youth Force) and Gangaw Battalion 8 jointly attacked the junta’s columns.