Troops under the Military Council have torched most of the homes in Taingen after suffering many casualties during fighting with resistance forces as they attempt to retake their camp in the village in northern Chin State.
“As far as we know, only three houses remain in the village,” said Lian Bawi, spokesperson of Chinland Defence Force Civilian Defense Militia – Siyin (CDF CDM-Siyin), explaining they cannot personally inspect the village due to the presence of many regime troops. They also cannot fly a drone overhead because of dense cloud cover.
CDF troops under Chinland Council captured the Taingen military camp, strategically placed between Kale in Sagaing Region and the Indian border, on January 16. Five months later, the junta dispatched three trucks from Kale and a column from Tedim to retake their position. CDF CDM-Siyin ambushed them with IEDs along their path outside Taingen.
Although the spokesperson couldn't confirm the number killed, he expected casualties to be high because soldiers destroyed many homes after the attack in the village situated between Kale and Tedim in Tedim Township.
When the Burma army experiences many losses, soldiers typically retaliate by destroying houses and arresting and even killing civilians.
CDF CDM-Siyin estimates that 80 enemy soldiers are now deployed on Praying Mountain, homes, and other locations inside Taingen.
The drone unit attacked and killed some Burma army soldiers deployed at the Taingen – Tedim – Falam junction at noon on June 22. They retreated to Sualane after which a two-hour gunfight broke out in Taingen.
“We allow the Burma army to stay in this area and will fight them until the end,” the spokesperson said, adding he understands the plight of the people who lost their homes. “Even at night, our soldiers are in position ready to attack the enemy. We request our people, both abroad and inside the country, to provide us with financial support and pray for us.”
The group has warned civilians on June 22 to avoid travelling on the Kale – Taingen road due to the ongoing fighting.a
