Institute of Chin Affairs reports heavy Myanmar junta casualties and escalating airstrikes as resistance forces defend strategic Falam hub

Mizzima

The Institute of Chin Affairs (ICA) has released a comprehensive report detailing four months of intense conflict in Falam Township, revealing that over 200 military junta troops were killed and 40 captured between November 2025 and February 2026.

“We gathered casualty figures from reports by revolutionary comrades and officials who took part in the battles and verified additional information using primary reports from the ground,” Salai Van Sui San, Information Officer of the ICA, told Mizzima.

The report also stated that the junta carried out more than 2,500 airstrikes during the same period. Drone attacks and heavy artillery fire killed 15 civilians and injured another 30. In addition, more than 60 structures – including schools, churches, and hospitals – were destroyed.

“The military junta’s current offensive is quite unusual. When the fighting began in October 2025, incidents of houses being burned were relatively limited. However, since late February, airstrikes targeting civilians and the burning of homes have become much more frequent,” said Salai Van Sui San.

Chin resistance forces believe the military commission may be increasingly targeting civilians as it faces heavy casualties and difficulties in delivering reinforcements and supplies on time.

The ICA report said Chin revolutionary forces believe the military junta’s extensive use of force and heavy airstrikes in Falam are linked to its strategic objective of securing access to Surbung Airport for administrative and military logistics.

“They want to use the airport to more easily transport rations and ammunition required for operations in northern Chin State,” the ICA Information Officer said.

If the junta were to regain control of Falam, it could potentially deploy troops along routes linking northern and southern Chin State, as well as toward the India–Myanmar border.

The report also noted that ongoing fighting has displaced around 85 percent of residents from nine villages in Tedim Township and 27 villages in Falam Township.

At present, children, pregnant women, and elderly people displaced by the fighting are facing serious health challenges and urgently require food, shelter, and medical assistance.

The ICA said the junta’s actions show a complete disregard for human rights and international humanitarian law.

Amid escalating military tensions, the ICA has urged continued documentation of human rights violations, international investigations into airstrikes and civilian casualties, and increased humanitarian assistance for affected communities.

According to Chin revolutionary forces, the junta has launched an offensive involving more than 1,000 troops organized into four columns to retake Falam, which is currently under the control of Chin forces. The advancing columns are moving from Kalay in Sagaing Region – a key gateway to Chin State along the Kalay–Natchaung–Gangaw, Kalay–Natchaung–Webula, Kalay–Khaikam–Thaingngin, and Tedim–Thaingngin routes.

The junta’s columns are being jointly resisted by a coalition of Chin revolutionary forces. This coalition includes the Chin National Defence Force (CNDF), part of the Chin Brotherhood (CB) based in Falam, as well as units from the Chinland Council (CC), including the Chin National Army (CNA).