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

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