Nearly 30 military council soldiers and more than 10 members of Chindland Defense Forces (CDF) were killed in the battle in Timit River plain between Hakha and Thantlang in Chin State, according to the Chin National Front/Chin National Army (CNF/CNA).
More than 150 military council soldiers marched from Hakha to Thantlang by two military columns. There has been intense fighting between the military columns and the combined force of Chinland Defense Forces (CDFs) on the upstream and downstream of Timit River between Hakha- Thantlang from 26 May to 5 June.
“They (junta soldiers) started ascending on 26 May. Three days before 26 May, the junta bombed the area and fired heavy shells for three consecutive days in order to clear the way for the ground forces. Fighting has been taking place till date since 26 May,” said Salai Htet Ni, Spokesperson of the CNF/CNA.
According to the ground information, fighting killed 27 junta soldiers. Three comrades from the CNA and nine from the CDF were also killed and 10 others wounded. They were killed by the military council’s shelling while they were evacuating their wounded comrades during the battle, Salai Htet Ni said.
The military council troops are making a large-scale offensive against the combined CDFs through airstrikes and the excessive use of heavy weapons in the Timit River plain battle.
“We have got inside information that this year the military will conduct military operations in Chin State, Karenni State and Sagaing Region through ground and air. The army will crush local defense forces. The military council is preparing to retake control of Camp Victoria, the headquarters of CNF and then crush it,” Salai Htet Ni added.
Under the leadership of the CNA, a combined force of CDF-Zophei, CDF-Lautu, CDF-Hakha and CDF-Thantlang are making armed resistance against the military council troops in Timit River plain battles.
According to observers, the military council forces are in a position to try to reach Thantlang, so the fighting may continue to intensify.
Sent by KMG