Ethnic Chin resistance groups claimed to have penetrated the headquarters of a military battalion in Falam town, Chin State on Saturday, inflicting many junta casualties and seizing an arsenal.
At 1 a.m. on Saturday, the Chin National Army (CNA), the armed wing of the Chin National Front (CNF), and two other Chin resistance groups raided the military’s Light Infantry Battalion 268 in Falam, a CNA official told the media.
After two hours of fighting, the joint resistance forces managed to occupy the arsenal after penetrating the military base, seizing ammunition and over 10 weapons including an M2 .50 caliber machine gun, according to the resistance group.
In the clash, six regime forces were killed and nine injured, claimed the CNA official.
The Irrawaddy was unable to independently verify the military casualties.
Resistance fighter Ko Wunna Tun, the deputy commander of Battalion 4 of the Chin Defense Force (Kalay, Kabaw, Gangaw), was also killed in the clash, said the resistance group, which joined the raid.
After the resistance raids, the military base randomly shelled nearby villages using 120-mm, 80-mm and 40-mm explosives, injuring three civilians including a child.
In retaliation for the resistance raid, the junta used fighter jets to bomb Ramthlo Village on the Falam-Hakha highway, 35 km south of Falam town, at noon, destroying some houses and a church, according to Chin media outlets.
Seven residents suffered injuries in the air strikes.
On Monday morning, junta fighter jets also bombed Khuafo Village in Thantlang Township, destroying at least three houses and a church.
The air strike came after Chin resistance groups led by the CNA reportedly occupied a junta base during a raid in Thantlang town, according to Chin media outlet Khonuthung.
On March 30, the junta used fighter jets to bomb Khuafo Village, killing at least 10 residents including children.
