The Chin resistance ambushed a regime column in southern Chin State, killing at least eight soldiers and wounding 15, according the groups’ own accounts.

The Chin National Army (CNA) and the Paletwa Chinland Defence Force (CDF) attacked the government soldiers twice on 9 March while they were travelling from Lailinpi town to the Htebwi military camp in Matupi Township.

A CDF officer reported that the first attack took place at around 11am to noon near the Lerkee Creek between Kein Kang Kon and Sakheher villages and the second clash, which lasted only 10 minutes, 20 minutes later.

The resistance fighters retreated without incident after the ambush, said the officer who wished to remain anonymous.

A day earlier, there was fighting at Vermee Creek near the same villages. At least five regime fighters were killed, the Chin groups said.