NAYPYITAW, 20 October 2021, (TON): Chin resistance fighters destroyed half the vehicles in a military convoy travelling along a mountain road towards the state capital of Hakha last week, forcing the survivors to halt their advance and set up camp at a village along the way.

The convoy of 35 military trucks and two tanks left the northern town of Falam on October 8 as part of a big push by the junta to reinforce its positions in the state. The convoy moved slowly over several days as it swept for landmines along the treacherous route to Hakha.

Fighters from the Chin National Army (CNA), a longstanding rebel group, and the recently formed Chin National Defense Force (CNDF) attacked the convoy with landmines and a shootout ensued, a CNDF spokesperson said.

No military vehicles were destroyed in that clash, but resistance fighters attacked again on Saturday near the village of Talanrawn, destroying seven vehicles and killing at least four soldiers while injuring another 15.

Then fighters from the Chinland Defence Force (CDF) destroyed another nine vehicles during a clash on Sunday near Taal village, which is three miles from Talanrawn and 28 miles from Falam. The remaining vehicles and soldiers have now set up camp in Taal.