SAA event in Ngaphe area, Myanmar on Fri 14th August 2026

Three members of the Chin Defence Force-Asho (CDF-Asho) were killed and one escaped while traveling in Ngaphe Township, Magway Region, central Myanmar, when they were shot at while advancing along their military line.

On August 14, four members of the CDF-Asho, including Salairo Chin, were on their way to their support base when they encountered soldiers from the 905th Artillery Battalion based in Son Kone Village, Ngaphe Township.

During the exchange of fire, 32-year-old Salai Ro Chin, 22-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Salai Phyo Thiha Zaw, and 18-year-old Comrade Aung Lin Zaw were killed, while one soldier escaped, said CDF-Asho Major General Salai Pyonethon.

It was reported that the bodies of three comrades, including Saliro Chin, were recovered after they lost contact with Saliro Chin, despite the hope that he would survive.

“I was hoping that even after losing contact, I would be able to escape. When I went to the ground to search for the dead body and saw the photo, the whole world went dark. I couldn’t touch my feet or my hands, everything seemed to evaporate,” Salai Pyonethon told Myanmar Now.

Salai Ro Chin is said to be the commander-in-chief of the Chin Defense Forces (CDF).

Salai Pyonethon added that the military often attacks villages not far from the CDF-Asho support base, and the group led by Salai Ro Chin unexpectedly encountered an army column, resulting in this death.

Myanmar Now contacted Colonel Myo Aung, the secretary of the military’s press office, to learn more about the situation in Ngaphe Township, where the military’s Nattwan Strategic Camp and No. 14 Defense Equipment Manufacturing Factory (DEMF) are located. He responded that he was traveling and could not answer the phone.

Some CDF-Asho members said that Commander Salai Ro Chin had been an activist for the Asho (Chin) cause since before the military took power in 2021, and his death was a great loss for the group.

“He did everything he could for the Chins. He also believed very strongly in the revolution. The rest of the comrades also believed in the revolution. He was calm and quiet,” said a comrade in charge of the CDF Chins’ press office.

The Chin people live in the flatlands of central Myanmar, including Magway and Bago regions, and believe in traditional gods, Christianity, and Buddhism.

During the Spring Revolution, which was sparked by a military coup, young Chin people formed the Chin Defense Force (ACDF) and fought against the military with weapons. 

Then, due to disagreements, they split from the ACDF and established the Chin Defense Force-Asho (CDF-Asho) on January 21, 2023. However, relations between the two Asho (Chin) forces improved, and they joined forces and launched attacks on the military in Ngaphe Township, Magway Region.

CDF-Asho has gained military experience in the battles waged by the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State, and on April 20, it also attacked the No. (14) Defense Equipment Manufacturing Factory in Ngaphe Township with rockets.