A fierce gunfight between rival Chin resistance groups along the Myanmar border claimed the life of a Chinland Defence Force-Hualngoram (CDF-Hualngoram) cadre on Saturday, sending stray bullets into Zokhawthar village in Mizoram. The errant gunfire damaged at least five homes and a parked car, heightening fears among residents.
The clashes, which erupted around 8:45 AM between the CDF-Hualngoram and the Chin National Defence Force (CNDF) near Rihkhawdar and Khawmawi—just a few kilometers from Zokhawthar—continued until 2:30 PM. Amid the chaos, a desperate plea echoed over a loudspeaker in Zokhawthar: “Your bullets are flying into our homes — please stop!” The fighting has sparked panic and displacement along the Indo-Myanmar border.
Tragically, a refugee carpenter from Tahan, Myanmar’s Sagaing region, drowned in the Tiau river while attempting to flee back to India as the shooting began. His body has not yet been recovered. In response, the Assam Rifles sealed the border gate at Zokhawthar, disrupting daily cross-border movement for Myanmar nationals seeking education and medical care in Mizoram.
By Saturday afternoon, over 1,000 refugees had fled into Mizoram seeking safety. Six combatants—four from CDF-Hualngoram and two from CNDF—were injured and received local treatment, though their conditions remain unclear.
The conflict stems from a territorial dispute in Myanmar’s Falam township, with both groups accusing each other of encroachment and drone attacks. Hostilities flared on Wednesday with the killing of CDF-Hualngoram member Lalliandinga, escalating tensions between the Chinland Council-backed CDF-Hualngoram and the Chin Brotherhood-aligned CNDF, part of the Interim Chin National Consultative Council (ICNCC).
Efforts to restore calm are underway. A member of the Advocacy Group for Peace in Chinland, formed by Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, confirmed ongoing mediation attempts. The group warned that continued infighting could undermine the broader Chin-Mizo resistance against Myanmar’s military junta. The clash marks a setback to a ceasefire agreement signed by the Chinland Council and ICNCC in February at the Mizoram Chief Minister’s residence.
As the situation remains volatile, local authorities and peace advocates are urging both sides to prioritize dialogue to prevent further loss of life and disruption in the region.
