By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: Myanmar military and allied ethnic forces have recaptured Tonzang, a strategically important town in northern Chin State near the India border, following days of intense fighting supported by airstrikes, local sources said.
The Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA), an ethnic Zomi armed group aligned with the junta, said its fighters took part in a joint three-day operation with regime forces that culminated in the recapture of the town on Tuesday.
According to resistance sources, junta troops advanced towards Tonzang from Tedim in the south and Cikha in the north in a coordinated pincer movement, backed by continuous drone and air force support.
"They attacked us from two directions, backed by continuous air support with drones and warplanes, so we were forced to withdraw around 3 pm on Tuesday," a resistance source said, adding that clashes were continuing on the outskirts of the town.
Residents said between 600 and 800 troops had been advancing from Tedim since May 11, occupying villages along the route.
The fighting and airstrikes displaced residents from Tonzang and nearby villages, with many civilians reportedly fleeing into surrounding hills. Local sources also alleged that five displaced villagers from Lomzang village had been detained by the military.
Tonzang had earlier been captured by an alliance of resistance groups, including the Chin National Army, Zo Army and Chinland Defence Forces, in May 2024.
The town is considered strategically important due to its location on the Tedim-Kale trade route and its proximity to the Indian border.
The latest operation comes weeks after the junta recaptured Falam in Chin State, in what observers view as a broader effort by the military to regain control over official trade and border routes with India.
Speculation has also grown over a possible military offensive targeting Rihkhawdar, a key border trade town near Mizoram. Local reports said hundreds of residents have already fled into India fearing further escalation.
The developments have also raised concerns among resistance groups operating in southern Chin State, particularly in areas bordering Myanmar's Magwe Region, where the military is reportedly mobilising forces for possible offensives on Mindat and Kanpetlet.