The Matupi Chinland Defence Force (CDF) reported that at least eight Burma Army (BA) soldiers were killed, including a captain, and five were wounded in an unexpected skirmish at a junction on the Mindat-Matupi road.

The fighting began after BA Light Infantry Battalion 304 entered the CDF area near Lemro Chaung Sone in Matupi Township on the morning of 20 April, according to a CDF officer.

The engagement lasted 30 minutes before the resistance fighters could retreat, he told Khonumthung News.

CDF expects fighting to resume after BA deployed an additional 100 troops and suspended mobile communications in the area following the incident.

Last month, many BA soldiers were killed when Chin resistance groups repeatedly ambushed a 80 vehicle convoy carrying troops, rations, weapons and other military equipment from Mindat to Matupi towns.