Myanmar

Junta outpost on Myanmar’s border with India falls to Chin resistance forces

The outpost, in the border town of Rihkhawdar, is one of more than 100 captured by anti-regime forces around the country since late last month

A joint force of Chin resistance groups has captured a junta outpost on the Indo-Myanmar border, a spokesperson for one of the groups involved confirmed on Monday.

Salai Htet Ni, the information officer for the Chin National Army (CNA), said that the outpost, in the town of Rihkhawdar in Chin State’s Falam Township, fell early Monday morning after coming under attack at around 11pm the night before.

Speaking to Myanmar Now at around noon on Monday, he added that the resistance forces had yet to take control of a smaller regime outpost near the town.

“Right now they’re still fighting over a small outpost on the border near the river below town,” he said, referring to the Tiau River, which forms part of the border between Myanmar and India.

“A jet fighter arrived just as the fighting started,” he added, without being able to provide any further details.

At the main outpost, the resistance forces—including members of the CNA and the Chinland Defence Force—seized weapons and ammunition and took at least five junta soldiers prisoner, according to Salai Htet Ni.

Due to the remote location of the town, and the fact that the resistance forces largely control the surrounding area, he said it was likely the military would rely on airstrikes to retaliate.

“Support from the ground will be difficult in this mountainous terrain. We are in control of the routes between each outpost, so I think their support will come in the form of airstrikes,” he said.

At least four civilians, including a woman and a child, were injured during the fighting, according to a local resident.

Chin resistance forces also attacked junta outposts in Rihkhawdar, an important centre for border trade, in March and August of last year.

Since the start of Operation 1027, a major anti-junta offensive launched in northern Shan State on October 27, resistance forces have captured scores of army outposts and a number of towns around Myanmar.

While the regime has suffered its heaviest losses in the northeast of the country, groups based in Sagaing Region and Karen (Kayin) and Karenni (Kayah) states have also made gains by stepping up their attacks on the military’s increasingly overstretched forces.

On Monday, the Arakan Army opened a new front in Operation 1027 by ending a year-long ceasefire with a series of attacks on junta targets in northern Rakhine State.

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