Fighting broke out between junta troops and civilian resistance fighters in a village some 6 miles from Mindat in Chin State on Friday evening, with both sides reportedly suffering casualties.
“Junta troops came to the village firing artillery. A civilian died and some five others were injured. We can confirm a junta troop died. Junta troops suffered more injuries than civilian fighters,” said a Mindat resident.
Bukun villagers said around 100 junta troops came to attack their village, and stopped the attack after it rained later Friday evening. Villagers fled following the attack.
“It rained heavily and it was very cold. We kept waiting, but they did not come further. We heard three more military trucks come this morning. But they have not yet attacked us. I heard there was fighting taking place in the east of the town,” a Mindat resident told The Irrawaddy on Saturday morning.
According to locals, telephone connections and the electricity and water supply to the town have been cut off, and locals who fled the town following the junta’s attacks are unable to enter to take food.
Junta forces have been arresting young people in Mindat, and some were reportedly beaten during interrogation.
Clashes broke out in Mindat after junta forces refused to release seven anti-regime protesters on April 24.
