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 ongoing battle in Falam, Chin State. Both officers were killed during fighting that occurred on March 17. The wife of Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Wai Lin Htun had been residing in Mawlamyine city, citing health reasons, rather than staying at the Falam military base.
Currently, the commander’s wife is conducting funeral arrangements in Mawlamyine, which further confirms the death of Battalion Commander Wai Lin Htun, according to CDM Captain Zin Yaw. Deputy Commander Aung Si Thu had been transferred to Falam after receiving a promotion from the Htauk Kyant military base in Yangon Region. According to a relative, he was initially shot in the arm during the battle and later killed by a hand grenade. His body was not returned to his family but was instead buried within the Falam military compound.
The battle began around 5 AM on March 11 when the military council forces launched an aerial attack on Church Hill and Hospital Hill areas controlled by revolutionary forces in Falam. Since then, fighting has continued as revolutionary forces mount counter-offensives aimed at completely capturing Infantry Battalion 268. The ongoing battles are considered crucial for the complete liberation of Falam city, according to revolutionary forces. The resistance forces continue their operations to secure full control of the area, while the military council forces have suffered significant losses, including these high-ranking officers. The situation represents a significant development in the ongoing struggle for control of strategic locations in Chin State.
