The Daai Chinland Defense Force (CDF) has arrested 15 soldiers from the State Administration Council (SAC), including a captain, lieutenant, and an intelligence officer while the group was patrolling its borders in Paletwa Township, located in southern Chin State.
“They appeared to have fled from a battle into our area of control,” said the spokesperson for the group, who preferred to remain anonymous.
As intense fighting between SAC and Arakan Army, with support from Chin armed groups, continues in the township, some SAC fighters who are trying to escape are ending up in the Daai armed group’s area.
The spokesperson said they have opened doors for soldiers serving under the regime to surrender to them, but they need to follow their instructions for their own safety.
The recently arrested are from Light Infantry Battalion 38, 217, 219, 220, 376, 538, 587, and 918 under Light Infantry Division 11.
Three were suffering from critical injuries, while two had minor injuries, and the CDF provided them with medical treatment.
The CDF source said that SAC recently conducted airstrikes and artillery attacks along the river.
At the end of January, SAC deployed a jet fighter three times in one day, killing seven people and destroying homes in the village of Hym.
For their safety, civilians weren’t permitted to travel on land and water routes from February 1-4, he said.