Military sources and CDM Captain Zin Yaw have confirmed that Lieutenant Colonel Wai Lin Htun, the commander of Infantry Battalion 268, and Deputy Commander Aung Si Thu were killed during the battle in Falam, Chin State. Both officers were killed during the fighting that occurred on March 17th. The commander’s wife had been residing in Mawlamyine city, citing health reasons for not staying at the military base in Falam.
The death of Commander Wai Lin Htun was confirmed through reports of funeral arrangements being made at his residence in Mawlamyine. Deputy Commander Aung Si Thu, who had been promoted and transferred to Falam from the Htauk Kyant base in Yangon, was initially shot in the arm during the battle before being fatally wounded by a hand grenade, according to a relative. His body was not returned to his family but was instead buried within the Falam military compound.
The battle of Falam began around 5 AM on March 11th, when the military council forces launched an offensive with air support against revolutionary forces’ positions at Church Hill and Hospital Hill areas. Revolutionary forces have been conducting counter-offensives aimed at completely capturing Infantry Battalion 268. The deaths of both the battalion commander and deputy commander represent a significant loss for the military forces. The ongoing battle demonstrates the intensity of the conflict in the Falam area, where revolutionary forces continue their efforts to gain control of military positions.
