On Wednesday, soldiers from Chin National Defense Force (CNDF) captured Tibual (also spelled Ti Bwar) military camp from State Administration Council (SAC) in Falam Township.
“Most of the SAC soldiers ran away from their camp and we are still chasing them. Our troops has blocked roads and are trying to capture them,” said CNDF spokesperson Salai Cung Ngai.
The Chin fighters launched the raid on the camp at 4 am and within an hour had seized it after killing 2 SAC soldiers while 30 fled from the area.
Weapons, ammunition and other military equipment were seized before the camp was set ablaze. According to Rihli Voice, a number of regime troops crossed the border into India where they were rescued by Assam Rifle Force in the village of Ver Faia.
CNDF and other resistance groups also recently seized Myauk Si camp in southern Kalay Township and the town of Khampat in Tamu District. On Monday, Chin National Army seized the town of Rihkhawdar.
On Wednesday, CNDF also took over Val camp, situated on Kalay – Falam road, after SAC troops fled to the Infantry Battalion 268 base in Falam town only five miles away.
“They withdraw from the Var military camp, I think, because they are afraid of being attacked from Chin resistance groups,” Salai Cung Ngai said. “I don’t think they have enough strength and probably worry we will seize Falam town so went there to defend it.”
In April, the CNDF initially captured the camp, killing 14 enemy soldiers and capturing 11, along with weapons, ammunition, and military equipment. However, the Chin armed group did not maintain control, and SAC subsequently regained the camp.
Many of Burma’s resistance forces are on the offensive this year and in particularly after Three Brotherhoods Alliance launched its 1027 Operation.
At least nine towns and over 130 bases have been captured in Chin, Shan, Kachin, Karenni, Karen and Rakhine states and in Sagaing, Mandalay and Magwe regions since October 27 when the operation began.
The coordinated offensives exhibited by diverse resistance forces in recent weeks have been unprecedented since the coup and even over the past seven decades since Burma’s various ethnicities have fought for autonomy in the country long marked by civil war.