Shooting between junta troops and civilian resistance fighters in Chin State’s mountainous Mindat continue in the west of the town on Sunday, despite the regime occupying the town on Saturday.
At about 8am on Sunday, shooting started on the Mindat-Matupi highway to the west of the town.
Civilian resistance fighters attacked about nine vehicles transporting approximately 150 junta troops reinforcing Mindat, according to a member of Mindat’s Defense Forces.
There were casualties on both sides, he added. The Irrawaddy was not able to independently confirm the casualty numbers.
Fighting restarted last Wednesday night after a ceasefire agreed in late April broke down.
On Saturday morning, junta reinforcement backed by artillery and helicopters raided Mindat.
Junta troops also used 18 detained civilians as human shields while entering the town, according to residents.
Troops are now deployed across the town and are opening fire on anyone on the streets.
Around eight resistance fighters have been killed and approximately 20 were injured in shootouts in Mindat with the security forces, according to residents.
The wounded cannot receive treatment because of the deployment of troops.
The US Embassy in Yangon issued a statement on Saturday calling on the military junta to end violence against the civilians. It said the use of weapons of war against civilians demonstrated the depths to which the regime has sunk to retain power.
Junta forces in Mindat used artillery and automatic fire against resistance fighters armed with homemade hunting rifles using 19th-century techniques.
On Saturday, the civilian National Unity Government issued a statement urging the international community to take immediate action to end all violence and to protect Mindat’s civilians.
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