Chin State townships bombed by Myanmar junta during disruption of first-phase elections

On December 28, when the first phase of the election was held, the military commission carried out airstrikes on Falam, Hakha, and Kanpetlet townships in Chin State. (Damage to houses in Zar Thir village due to airstrikes/CJ)

Mizzima

The military junta launched multiple aerial bombardments across Falam, Hakha, and Kanpetlet townships in Chin State on 28 December, coinciding with the first phase of its staged general election.

Local residents and military sources reported that while some strikes occurred during active clashes, others targeted areas where no fighting was taking place.

“Bombs were dropped during active fighting in Falam Township, but two other locations with no ongoing clashes were also targeted,” a local military source told Mizzima.

In Falam, a junta jet fighter dropped three bombs on Zathir village near Surbung Airport, destroying three civilian houses. Tiphir village was also struck, forcing residents to flee. Clashes intensified as junta troops advanced from Kalay toward Falam, with continued air support reported through 29 December.

In the state capital of Hakha, the military retaliated for a previous attack on its Rone Taung base by bombing the Kyaw Bote No. 2 cemetery, resulting in the destruction of 12 tombs.

Meanwhile, in Kanpetlet, an airstrike hit the Win Unity Hotel compound shortly after midnight on election day, though no casualties were reported. These attacks took place as the junta attempted to hold votes in the only two Chin townships under its relative control, Hakha and Tedim.

However, participation was reportedly limited to civil servants and military-affiliated individuals, as the majority of the population observed a “Silent Strike” in defiance of the polls.

The Union Election Commission has formally admitted it cannot conduct elections in six of Chin State’s nine townships – Mindat, Matupi, Kanpetlet, Paletwa, Tonzang, and Falam – due to a total loss of administrative control. Thantlang also remains excluded as a contested frontline area.

International observers and revolutionary forces have condemned the proceedings as a “sham,” noting that the ongoing violence and systematic exclusion of vast territories render the election results entirely illegitimate.