NAYPYITAW, 16 November 2021, (TON): A chapter of the Chinland Defence Force (CDF) in southern Chin State’s Paletwa Township launched its first ever attacks against junta forces last week, using explosives to kill 11 soldiers as they travelled along a road towards the town.

A military unit of 60 soldiers left the town of Matupi last Monday in two trucks and headed toward Paletwa. But the CDF fighters slowed their advance by attacking them three times on the way.

Six soldiers died in an hour-long battle near Kantaung village, at the border between Matupi and Paletwa, on November 9. Another five died during a battle near the village of Pauksin the following day.

A spokesperson for the Paletwa CDF, who goes by the name Paul, said the group attacked the soldiers with a series of explosions using a method they called “mine galore” and learned about the number of deaths thanks to “accurate intel.”

Paul said that while the CDF has been active across Chin State in recent months, last week’s ambushes were the first time the Paletwa branch has clashed with the junta. “I don’t think they even knew we existed.”

A third clash took place near Waryon village on Thursday and lasted the whole day. The Paletwa CDF was forced to retreat after the military employed heavy weapons.

Because of the ambushes, the junta soldiers took five days to complete their 70-mile journey. They arrived in the town of Samee on Friday and camped in the local police station.