Fierce combat erupts in Kyindwe, southern Chin State as resistance forces capture junta troops
DMG Newsroom
8 October 2026, Kanpetlet, Chin State
Heavy fighting continues between military junta forces pushing toward Kyindwe Town in Kanpetlet Township, southern Chin State, and allied resistance forces, with resistance troops capturing junta soldiers as prisoners of war, according to military sources.
Intense clashes broke out near Masatwi Village in Kanpetlet Township between allied Chin People's Army forces and a military column advancing from the junta’s Weapons Factory No. 25 in Laungshae Town, Saw Township.
During the engagements, at least 30 junta soldiers were killed and more than 20 were captured as prisoners of war.
“Fighting occurs daily near Masatwi Village,” a military source said. “The military column has sustained heavy casualties and cannot advance, relying entirely on continuous airstrikes for fire support. Allied resistance forces are launching ambushes and counterattacks based on military troop movements.”
Among those captured as prisoners of war is a column led by Platoon Commander Sergeant Major Ye Win Tun from an infantry battalion under Light Infantry Division 77.
Masatwi Village is situated 12 miles from Kyindwe Town, where the military junta has deployed a fresh offensive column of around 500 troops advancing from Weapons Factory No. 25.
Since May 2026, the military regime has deployed thousands of troops from the Yaw Region in an effort to regain control over Mindat and Kanpetlet townships, which are under the administration of the Chin People's Union and Chin People's Army (CPU/CPA).
Military offensives in southern Chin State are being met with joint defensive counterattacks across Magway Region and Chin State by the Chin People's Army, the Arakan Army, Yaw defence forces, and forces under the National Unity Government.
Military analysts note that the regime is using Light Infantry Division 77 to push through Magway Region into southern Chin State, seeking a strategic gateway into Arakan State.
“The military junta is launching offensives with the ultimate objective of advancing through Mindat and Kanpetlet toward Paletwa and Arakan State,” a local Chin military analyst said. “However, as resistance forces have effectively blocked their advance, the regime’s strategic plans have failed, breaking their offensive momentum twice already. Now they are attempting to break through once again via Kyindwe.”
The military regime is attempting to penetrate southern Chin State along three main axes, including the Kyaukhtu-Mindat route, the Saw-Kanpetlet route, and the Laungshae-Kyindwe route.
Along the Mindat-Kyaukhtu road axis, junta forces are conducting frequent aerial reconnaissance and airstrikes against civilian-inhabited towns and villages, local residents reported.
In its broader effort to breach Arakan State, the military junta is attempting multi-front advances across neighbouring regions, including Chin State, Magway, Bago, and Ayeyarwady regions.
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