CHIN STATE – A source from Chin State said that the junta council, which is trying to reinforce Thantlang in Chin State, launched an offensive with air strikes and a fierce battle broke out on October 16 at mount Autto between Hakha and Thantlang Townships.
Although there are rumors that the junta council has recaptured Autto Mountain Camp, which was occupied by the Chinland Council in July, the Chin news source said that the fighting is still ongoing.
“Today (October 16), the junta council started bombing from the air then attacked with infantry. That’s why the battle at Autto Mountain is fierce. According to the news that they sent just now, the junta council troops have not yet been able to control Autto Hill. We were there and they were there as well. There is still ongoing close combat in Autto Mountain,” said the Chin source on October 16 evening.
Junta council troops started an offensive, moving in seven trucks from Hakha to Thantlang on October 13. Since then, the junta council has bombed Autto Mountain with jet fighters, and also dropped many bombs on Thantlang using Y12 aircrafts.
The Chinland Coalition Forces, including the Chin National Army (CNF/CNA) and the Chinland Defense Forces (CDF), launched the battle to capture Thantlang and have so far occupied the 269th Infantry Battalion based in Thantlang city and the junta council’s temporary camp in the city, Laivila guesthouse and CB Bank building. On the other hand, junta forces are currently stationed at the Thantlang general administration office and the NLD party office building and the junta council is moving on the offensive to reinforce their troops in Thantlang.
The source said that before the offensive began, the junta council used helicopters to reinforce their forces in the city of Hakha.
“Mainly, the seven vehicles coming from the Hakha are likely to also include the militia. Of course, they will be reinforced by helicopters from the mainland side,” said the Chin source.
Since the last week of July, the Chinland Council forces have been fighting to capture Thantlang. They first attacked and occupied the junta council camps between Thantlang and Hakha, and cut off the reinforcement route from Hakha. Just as the junta council is on the verge of losing the Battle of Thantlang, they started attacking from the ground using air and artillery support.
The CNF/CNA spokesperson Salai Htet Ni was contacted to comment on the situation of the battle in Thantlang and Autto Mountain but has yet to reply.
