April 28.
A military source said that a Mi-35 attack helicopter of the military council, which has been conducting airstrikes on villages in southern Kalay, Sagaing Region, was hit by gunfire from the revolutionary forces on April 27 and had to make an emergency landing.
A military source said, “The southern groups said that the Mi-35 attack helicopter was shot down from below with a flare gun. It was reported that it had to make an emergency landing in Hanthawaddy village, Magway Region. It was hit but did not fall.”
The military council has been advancing in large numbers into the village of Kyinthaw in southern Kalay since April 25, and local residents say that the airstrikes on villages have been intensifying, causing casualties.
A local said, “The first thing that happened was that the planes were not just bombing one village, they were bombing about 5 villages. It has been 3 days now. Unlike when the company was taken over, they are bombing many villages and not just one. They are also bombing Natchaung, Natmyaw, Ngapha, Aung Chantha and Waibula. They are also reporting that there are casualties. The exact number is not known yet and they have been told not to release it. On the first day, one person died, and three others were seriously injured. Now, there will be more.”
The military council forces entered Kanthar village from Hanthawaddy village in the south of Kalay Township with more than 300 troops in two separate columns for three days from April 25 to 27, resulting in clashes with the revolutionary forces. The military council suffered casualties and some weapons and ammunition were also seized by the revolutionaries.
The Chin National Army (CNA) and the Chin Revolutionary Forces and the Revolutionary Coalition took over the villages of Kanparni, Aungthaya (East and West), including the military council camps in southern Kalay and the Pyu Saw Htee dominated village of Kyanta.