Chinland Defence Force attacks junta offices in Mindat

A Tuesday attack by the anti-junta Chinland Defence Force (CDF) on the military council’s district administration office and the local fire department in Mindat, Chin State killed two Myanmar army soldiers, according to the Mindat People’s Administration Team. 

The Mindat-based chapter of the CDF reportedly attacked the administrative office using explosives and guns at around 5:30am, and 12 hours later struck the township fire department, which housed nearly 30 soldiers. 

“The general administration office got its windows blown out. We didn’t mean to harm anyone. It was more of a warning,” a spokesperson for the Mindat People’s Administration said, adding that no clash followed the attack. 

“The attack on the township fire department office had some casualties as it was carried out at close range, and there were a lot of soldiers inside,” the spokesperson explained. “There was a clash but we managed to withdraw successfully after exchanging some gunfire.”

He added that two junta soldiers died, and estimated that up to six were injured. The CDF reportedly suffered no casualties. 

Residents told Myanmar Now that although the military had tightened security and were carrying out more inspections at the entrances and exits to Mindat, the town was operating as usual. 

“Locals have not fled the town yet. Some fled last month after hearing that the military would send many forces there. The military did not let anyone leave the town anymore after that, so there are still many people left,” a Mindat local said.

A military convoy from Kyaukhtu in Magway Region—with two armoured vehicles and more than 80 trucks—was sent to southern Chin State as reinforcements, arriving in Mindat on October 13 and leaving for Matupi Township the following day. 

The convoy in question spent the night on Tuesday near mile marker 23 on the Mindat-Matupi road, destroying area homes, looting them of valuables including solar panels, and slaughtering six of the villagers’ cows for meat, according to locals.

Myanmar Now tried to contact the military council to obtain comment on the allegations, but all calls went unanswered. 

Another member of the Mindat People’s Administration Team told Myanmar Now that on Thursday, the convoy in question was 50 miles from Mindat, heading towards Matupi. 

“The CDF has not intercepted them yet due to the heavy rains. Also, the fog prevents us from seeing five feet ahead of us,” he added.

Clashes between the Myanmar army and the anti-junta resistance in Mindat escalated in late April and early May, and the military council put the township under martial law on May 13. More than 20,000 locals were displaced from Mindat in May by the fighting, but more than 80 percent returned in June after a temporary ceasefire was agreed to between the military and the local CDF.