CHIN STATE – Chin National Army (CNA) spokesperson Salai Htet Ni reported that the junta council’s Auto Hill camp between Hakha and Thantlang was captured on December 8 evening.
The Chinland Council Coalition Forces, made up of CNA and Chinland Defence Force (CDF) launched a counter-offensive against the junta bases in Hakha and Thantlang on November 22 and captured the last remaining base, Auto Hill camp, 17 days later on December 8.
“The battle went on for the whole day today (December 8) and we captured it around 3:30 or 4 p.m. We seized several weapons and ammunition as well. As we are still sweeping the area, we don’t know the exact details of casualties yet. Some of them (junta forces) from there seem to have retreated back to Thantlang,” said Salai Htet Ni.
As a result, the fighting still continues between Auto Hill and Thantlang and the junta council is conducting airstrikes, he added.
“The Chinland Council forces captured Auto Hill camp around 3:30 p.m. Auto Hill camp and three defensive outposts around it were captured. But junta casualties are not yet known. Some of them reportedly fell back to Thantlang. And it is said that some weapons were seized. Now, the junta council is bombing the area around Auto Hill,” said a Chin news source.
The capture of Auto Hill camp means that there are no more junta stations between Hakha and Thantlang but the junta council is preparing to launch an offensive from Hakha to recapture their stations, resulting in battles on the side of Hakha as well, according to Salai Htet Ni.
Chinland Council Coalition has been attacking and capturing junta bases between Hakha and Thantlang since July 22 in preparation to capture Thantlang and successfully captured all junta stations but the junta council reinforced and deployed its troops in the fallen stations using the cover of air and artillery strikes. And the Chinland Council Coalition launched a counter offensive on November 22 and recaptured all stations in 17 days.
“Our control of that area poses a significant threat to them in Hakha. That’s why they are still trying to recapture that area from Hakha. Now, we have captured eight camps and over 30 junta forces were killed. This is from reliable sources. Around 40 were injured and we also captured 20 alive. As for the weapons, including today, we have seized over 60,” explained Salai Htet Ni.
He continued that tens of thousands in ammunition were also seized and that battles could still go on as the junta council might launch a counter offensive using reinforcements, artillery and air attacks.
Salai Htet Ni also expressed his gratitude to the people for their support that enables the Chinland Council to carry out these operations and requested for continued support.
