Clashes continue to rage in Chin State’s Thantlang, casualties reported on both sides

Mizzima

Urban combat continues to rage in Thantlang, Chin State, with casualties reported on both sides, according to Chin revolutionary sources.

A junta column of around 300 troops from Hakha set out on 4 June and entered Thantlang on 9 June after clashing with Chin revolutionary forces along the route.

The column subsequently joined local garrison forces to launch an offensive against the Chin revolutionary forces, triggering consecutive days of street fighting in the town.

“There are daily clashes in Thantlang, and active fighting is currently underway inside the town,” a spokesperson for the Chin Defence Force – Thantlang (CDF-Thantlang) told Mizzima on 1 July.

The spokesperson added that both sides are suffering casualties amid junta offensives and revolutionary counter-offensives.

On 30 June, intense fighting broke out from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM, during which CDF-Thantlang member Salai Bia Tak Lian was killed in the crossfire.

While the junta forces also suffered casualties in the clash, the exact numbers remain unconfirmed.

Earlier, on 21 June, three resistance fighters from CDF-Thantlang and the Chin National Army (CNA) were killed during clashes in Thantlang Township.

Salai Htet Ni, a spokesperson for the CNA, told Mizzima that junta forces, suffering heavy losses in the street fighting in the town, have resorted to using chemical-laden bombs.

“They mainly use drone-dropped bombs. Our fighters experienced vomiting and red eyes, confirming the use of chemical agents in those bombs,” he said.

The junta has vowed to reclaim and restore Thantlang, following its recent re-establishment of control in Falam and Tonzang, which were previously captured by Chin revolutionary forces.

However, CDF-Thantlang countered that this is unachievable, stating that junta troops are not only facing intense urban resistance but are also completely surrounded and blocked from advancing outside the town limits.

Furthermore, junta forces occupy only about half of Thantlang’s city area, while Chin revolutionary forces maintain control over the surrounding hills along the Hakha-Thantlang highway and other territories in the township.