Fighting between the Myanmar junta troops and local defence forces in Falam township, Chin State, on the India–Myanmar border, has forced many local residents to flee to Mizoram, India.

More than 30 junta troops from the 268th Infantry Division based in Reidkhodar township approached the outpost of local defence forces at around 2 pm on January 29, and fighting broke out between Reidkhodar and Haimul village, leaving no casualties on either side.

"A clash broke out while we are waiting for junta troops because we knew they were approaching us in advance," said a Chin Defense Force (CDF Hualngoram) official.

As a result of the fighting, some 2,000 people from Khaw Myaing village near the border were forced to flee to Zoe Khwar Thal village in Mizoram, India, according to a local resident.

The local resident said a local person with a motorcycle, after hearing gunshots, shouted that those who can run, run quickly, and they fled in fear. They fled to friends' homes and schools across the border.

Residents of border villages have been banned from leaving the area since January 30 due to ongoing fighting, he added.