The Chin National Army (CNA) has warned Myanmar regime troops to surrender in Chin State’s Thantlang town after resistance forces seized its last remaining junta base on Monday.
“All exits are blocked. Cooperating with us would be the most suitable and safest choice for [junta troops],” CNA spokesperson Salai Htet Ni said.
Around 100 junta troops retreated into the town after the CNA and allies overran Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 269 headquarters following three days of attacks. The troops also abandoned weapons and ammunition, the CNA said.
The town’s largest military base was seized with help from the Chinland Defense Force-Thantlang, CDF-Hakha, and CDF-Matupi. The headquarters had been reinforced with troops from LIB 274 based in Mindat.
Chin resistance forces launched the offensive on July 22, attacking seven junta positions between Thantlang and the state capital Hakha with the aim of cutting off reinforcements from Hakha’s Northwestern Command Headquarters. Hakha lies 22 miles east of Thantlang.
The regime responded with airstrikes targeting joint resistance forces and civilian communities.
“Four of the seven junta positions between Hakha and Thantlang are fortified bases and important for the regime. They were the crucial links between the two towns,” Salai Htet Ni said.
The CNA and allies seized all seven bases before attacking LIB 269, as the junta responded with airstrikes on villages around the town.
The CNA said it was clearing the town amid junta airstrikes and shelling from Hakha military bases. It said the junta launched three airstrikes around Thantlang on Tuesday, killing one CNA fighter.
“Junta soldiers are hiding in the buildings. We need to drive them out of the town,” the spokesperson said.
Over 150 junta troops remain in the town, according to the CNA.
The LIB 269 headquarters, being the junta base closest to the CNA headquarters, posed a significant threat to Chin resistance forces. Its capture places Chin forces on the verge of seizing Thantlang town, which would eradicate junta troops from the township.
The town is strategically vital to the regime because of its proximity to Northwestern Command Headquarters in Hakha.
Thantlang was abandoned by residents in October 2021, when junta troops began torching houses and churches in the mountain town.
“It will be difficult for residents to return even when the town is freed. We need to clear land mines and be aware that Hakha junta bases could shell us at any time,” he said.
The Chin resistance now controls most rural areas in the state along with seven towns, namely Lai Lin Pi and Rezua in Matupi township, Hnar Rein in Thantlang, Hsu Khwar in Hakha, Rihkhawdar and Waibul in Famal, and Ma Kwee Ain Nuu in Mindat.
