The Chin Brotherhood says anti-regime forces control more than 80 percent of Chin State since the fall of Mindat and Kanpetlet townships over the weekend.
Yaw Mang, the armed group’s spokesman, told The Irrawaddy that southern Chin State had been liberated and its troops were attacking Falam’s only remaining junta position, Infantry Battalion 268, in the north of the state.
He said the remaining junta troops – in the capital Hakha, Falam, Tedim and Thantlang townships – were restricted to the towns. Paletwa, Matupi, Kanpetlet, Mindat and Tonzang townships have already fallen.
Yaw Mang said 13 political prisoners were freed in Mindat and Kanpetlet had been abandoned when anti-regime forces arrived on Sunday morning.
The Chin Brotherhood’s allies include the Yaw Defense Force, Yaw Army from Gangaw District in northern Sagaing Region and Monywa People’s Defense Force.
The groups reportedly began preparing for their offensives against Mindat, Falam and Kanpetlet four months ago.
Operation CB began on November 9 in Mindat and Falam.
On Friday, the Chin Brotherhood reported that 168 regime soldiers and police along with their families had surrendered and Infantry Battalion 274 in Mindat fell on Saturday morning.
A Chin Brotherhood member said at least 300 junta troops and police had now been detained along with large amounts of weapons and ammunition.
The group on Sunday said the Arakan Army in Rakhine State had supported the Mindat operation with arms, ammunition, reinforcements and military advice.
Meanwhile, the Chin National Army, which is fighting for the Chinland Council, launched Operation Jericho and captured the Timit plain between Hakha and Thantlang earlier this month.
Source: Irrawaddy
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
