8 March 2026 — Civilians were killed and injured in a series of drone and air attacks carried out by the State Security and Peace Commission (SSPC) in Falam township, Chin State, according to local sources.
Initial news report from The Rihli Voice that, on 8 March, a residential house in Lunghawh village was struck by a suicide drone deployed by SSPC. The attack killed Ms. Ruth Van Lal Tha Nei Thing, a 19-year-old Grade 10 student, while her mother sustained serious injuries to her arms and legs.
In Simzawl village, junta forces also carried out airstrikes and artillery shelling on 6 and 7 March, resulting in the deaths of two civilians and injuries to three others, according to confirmed local sources.
On 6 March, heavy clashes were reported near Hlanzawl village between the joint teams of the Chin National Defence Force (CNDF) and allied Chin resistance forces, and SSPC. Following the fighting, junta troops allegedly set fire to several civilian homes in Hlanzawl village, causing further destruction.
Another fatal incident occurred on 7 March at around 4:30 pm, when Mr. Val Thian Nun Tang, a 14-year-old resident of Simzawl village, was killed by artillery fire from junta forces. The teenager had reportedly returned to the village with two friends from a displacement site to retrieve belongings when the shell struck. His two friends sustained leg injuries in the attack.
Local reports also indicate that two school-aged children were killed in drone bomb attacks in areas near Simzawl and Lunghawh villages. In addition, an elderly woman in Lunghawh was reportedly injured by drone explosives, while an elderly man in the Simzawl area was reportedly killed. Further details about these incidents have yet to be confirmed. – Reporting by Ben
