Tatmadaw regains full control of Thantlang

CNF and CDF terrorist groups, subordinates of NUG and CRPH, launched attacks on security forces stationed in Thantlang, Chin State, in February 2023, intending to disrupt the government’s admin­istrative mechanism in the town. They employed excessive manpower and heavy weapons, using non-military targets, in­cluding government of­fices, religious buildings, schools, hospitals and res­idential buildings as cover for their attacks. Although security personnel fought bravely at the risk of their lives, they had to make a temporary withdrawal from Thantlang due to mounting casualties, dwin­dling ammunition supplies, adverse weather, difficult terrain, and increasing damage to civilian homes and government buildings.

When the terrorist groups temporarily con­trolled Thantlang, they looted household belong­ings and valuables from residential homes. They also fortified government offices, religious buildings, schools and hospitals by constructing bunkers, trenches and communica­tion trenches, intending to establish defensive posi­tions and expand fighting into urban and village are­as. In response, Tatmadaw columns formulated oper­ational plans and made the necessary preparations to protect civilians and recapture the town while minimizing damage to government facilities and residential buildings. A counter-terrorism opera­tion was launched, and on 29 October 2023, the Tat­madaw announced that it had fully recaptured Thantlang, with the terror­ist groups retreating after suffering heavy casualties.

Following these loss­es, the CNF and CDF ter­rorist groups regrouped, replenished their mem­bers and weapons, and launched a second attack against security forces on 22 July 2024. Although security members resist­ed fiercely to prevent the town from falling, the ter­rorist groups continued to reinforce their forces, while damage to civilian homes and government buildings increased. Con­sequently, security forces temporarily withdrew from certain positions within the town while continuing to face the enemy.

After completing the necessary preparations to retake the temporarily abandoned positions, Tat­madaw columns launched operations against the ter­rorist groups beginning on 12 June 2026 despite nu­merous challenges. They recaptured the township police station on 13 June, Basic Education Primary School No 3 on 19 June, Basic Education High School No 1 on 5 July, the public hospital on 8 July, the township fire station on 12 July, and the hotel zone on the evening of 15 July. The Tatmadaw fully regained control of Thant­lang yesterday.

During the succes­sive operations to retake the town, Tatmadaw col­umns seized the bodies of insurgents, various weap­ons, ammunition and re­lated military equipment from the terrorist groups. Some security members sacrificed their lives in the service of the State and Tatmadaw.

 

Tatmadaw columns have recaptured towns and villages in Chin State that were temporarily held by armed groups, reopened transportation routes, and are delivering relief and reconstruction supplies by air and land to support rehabilitation efforts.

Following the recap­ture of Thantlang, Tat­madaw found that armed groups had used govern­ment offices, religious buildings, schools, hospi­tals and residential houses as defensive positions, and had looted and damaged civilian property.

NUG and CRPH de­veloped the PDF terrorists by cooperating with EAOs and launched conflicts that destroyed towns and vil­lages and forced residents to flee. The local people are now cooperating with Tatmadaw by providing information on the move­ments and locations of armed groups to support security operations.

The locals welcomed the recapture of Thantlang and surrounding areas. In coordination with relevant government departments and local communities, efforts would be made to help displaced residents return home, clear land­mines, repair damaged infrastructure, and carry out rehabilitation work to restore education, health­care and livelihoods as quickly as possible. — MNA/KTZH