Fighting continues fiercely in Thantlang, with casualties on both sides

Photo – Chin Defense Force – Military training graduation ceremony held in Thantlang on May 25. Fighting has been ongoing in Thantlang town, Chin State, since June 9, and one CDF-Thantlang comrade died on June 30, with casualties also reported among the military council troops, according to military news sources. (CDF – Thantlang) Pako (July 1) Mizzima. Fighting in Thantlang town, Chin State, continues to be fierce, with casualties on both sides, according to Chin revolutionary sources. A column of about 300 troops from Hakha town began its advance on June 4, and after engaging in battles with Chin revolutionary forces, managed to enter Thantlang town on June 9. Subsequently, they joined forces with entrenched units and launched an offensive against the Chin revolutionary forces, resulting in daily battles within the town. "There are battles every day in Thantlang town, and fighting is currently ongoing within the town," a spokesperson for the Chin Defense Force – Thantlang (CDF – Thantlang) told Mizzima today (July 1). He stated that while the military council troops are launching offensives, they are also counter-attacking, and there are casualties on both sides during the battles. The spokesperson said that intense fighting occurred yesterday from 2 PM to 8 PM, during which CDF – Thantlang comrade Salai Bia Tak Lian was killed in the crossfire. He added that although the military council troops also suffered casualties in that battle, the exact number could not be determined. It is known that three comrades from CDF-Thantlang and CNA were killed in battles that occurred within Thantlang township on June 21. Salai Htet Ni, a spokesperson for the Chin National Army (CNA), told Mizzima that the military council troops are suffering losses in the fighting in Thantlang town and are using bombs containing chemical substances. "Drone bombs are mainly used in the fighting. Comrades have experienced vomiting and red eyes. It is certain that some kind of chemical substance is used in the bombs," he said. The military council troops have declared their intention to retake Falam and Tonzang towns, which were captured by the Chin revolutionary forces, and are carrying out reconstruction efforts, and they have also stated their intention to do the same in Thantlang town. However, it is unlikely that this situation will be achieved, as not only are the current battles within the town fierce, but they are also surrounded and blocked from leaving the town, according to the CDF-Thantlang forces. Furthermore, they have only managed to occupy about half of the area within Thantlang town, and the Chin revolutionary forces continue to control the hills along the Hakha-Thantlang road and areas within the township.