19 March 2026 – A Myanmar military Mi-17 transport helicopter belonging to the State Security and Peace Commission (SSPC) landed at Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 266 in Hakha town around 4:00 pm on 17 March, delivering reinforcements from Kalay town in Sagaing Region.
Local sources report the aircraft carried 22 personnel, including 17 SSPC troops and 5 air defense specialists. The deployment aims to bolster junta positions amid heightened military activity and resistance operations in nearby areas, particularly Falam township.
The SSPC continues to rely on air transport for troop movements, weapons, and ammunition resupply, as ground routes face frequent ambushes and blockades by Chin resistance forces.
Hakha, the Chin State capital, remains one of the few junta strongholds in the state, alongside Tedim town, following widespread resistance gains since the 2021 coup. LIB 266 has been a frequent target of attacks, including drone strikes and clashes by groups such as the Chinland Defence Force (CDF)-Hakha.
Recent months have seen intensified junta efforts to reinforce positions in northern and central Chin State. Escalating clashes in Falam township—where resistance forces have mounted sustained offensives—have prompted increased aerial support, including helicopter insertions and airstrikes on resistance-held areas and civilians.
Ongoing junta offensives, reportedly advancing from areas such as Kalay, are resulting in heavy casualties for both sides. The conflict features drone warfare and has caused civilian displacement due to bombardments.
This reinforcement aligns with the junta’s broader strategy to maintain control over key towns and supply lines in Chin State, where multiple Chin resistance groups, including those under the Chinland Council and Chin Brotherhood alliances, continue coordinated resistance against SSPC forces. – Reporting by Daniel
