The Chin resistance coalition forces have captured over 100 junta troops, including high-ranking officials, in the aftermath of the clashes in Matupi Town, Chin State. The detained personnel include at least 10 officers, among them tactical operation commanders, who had fled into surrounding forests during the offensive.
The Chin Brotherhood Alliance-led resistance successfully overran the Matupi-based 304th Light Infantry Battalion, the 140th Infantry Battalion, and the Tactical Operations Command on June 29, following a large-scale offensive. This victory prompted a mass exodus of junta troops, along with their families and administrative staff, who sought refuge in the nearby forested areas.
Throughout the second half of July, the Chin resistance forces apprehended over 200 individuals, including junta troops, their family members, and regime employees. These captures occurred on two separate occasions as the resistance forces systematically scoured the forests for hiding personnel.
"Overall, more than 200 individuals were captured, including armed troops and their family members. About half of those arrested are junta troops. Among the detainees are also non-CDM staffers who sought refuge with the junta soldiers,” stated Ko Bway Oak, a spokesperson for the Chinland Defence Force – Matupi (CDF-Matupi). The term 'non-CDM staffers' refers to public servants and government employees who did not join the 'Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM)'—an anti-junta initiative—and continued to serve under the coup regime.
The first significant round of arrests occurred on July 17, when the Chin resistance forces detained approximately 120 junta troops, civil servants, and family members. On July 25, during a follow-up operation, the resistance forces engaged in a two-hour gunfight with regime soldiers. This confrontation led to the arrest of over 100 additional individuals, including junta troops and their family members.
Among the detainees were at least 10 high-ranking junta officers, including tactical operations commanders, who had been evading capture by hiding in the jungle since the fall of Matupi’s three main military bases.
Tragically, around 50 junta troops, their family members, and non-CDM staffers succumbed to starvation while in hiding from late June to late July. Fatalities included month-old infants and elderly individuals.
"More than 50 people died due to the lack of food in the forest, including children as young as month olds, and elderly individuals. Soldiers and policemen were also among those who starved to death,” Ko Bway Oak reported.
During the first incident, Chin resistance forces seized over 100 weapons and a substantial cache of ammunition. Subsequent search and arrests also resulted in the capture of additional, though unconfirmed, quantities of weapons and ammunition.
Despite facing their own shortages of food and medical supplies, the Chin resistance forces have committed to treating and feeding their prisoners of war (PoWs) in accordance with humanitarian standards and international rules protecting PoWs, as stated by the Chin Brotherhood Alliance.
