Myanmar refugee in Indian border village among seven killed in firing

Aizawl: A 51-year-old Myanmarese refugee seeking shelter at Zokhawthar village on the Indian side of the border died on Monday amidst intense gunfire between his country’s Army and combined militant groups on the Myanmar side.
Sources report seven casualties among Kachin Independent Army (KIA), Chin National Army (CNA), and Chin Defence Force (CDF) members in the crossfire. The KIA-CNA-CDF coalition initiated a surprise attack on Myanmar army camps, leading to clashes at upper Khawmawi and Rihkhawdar villages near the Indian border.
Chungthianmawia, a Zokhawthar village resident, succumbed to fatal injuries when bullets from Khawmawi village struck him during the Monday morning exchange.
He leaves behind a wife undergoing treatment in Myanmar and seven young children.
Reports on Myanmar army casualties are pending, but six Tatmadaw members were captured by the coalition forces. Of the 21 injured individuals, five are critical and have been referred to Aizawl for further treatment.
The KIA-CNA-CDF forces overran the Rihkhawdar army camp on Monday morning, with ongoing efforts to capture the Khawmawi camp. Myanmar Air Force operations in Khawmawi and Rihkhawdar resulted in additional injuries.
Approximately 5,000 refugees from Khawmawi, Rihkhawdar, and nearby villages sought refuge in Zokhawthar and Champhai district following the fierce clashes.
Champhai sub-headquarters YMA launched a blood donation drive at the district hospital to support the injured, receiving 49 units of blood from members, including 12 women.
Zokhawthar in Mizoram and Khawmawi village in Chin state, Myanmar, are separated by only 30 metres, divided by the Mizoram-Myanmar border small river Tiau, while Rihkhawdar is approximately 4 kilometers from Zokhawthar. The situation remains tense, and authorities are closely monitoring developments along the volatile border. UNI