Military regains control of Chin State’s Falam town from resistance forces

The military regained control of Falam, the second largest town in Chin State after the capital Hakha, from the Chin resistance on Saturday.

Salai Timmy Htut, the Chin Brotherhood spokesperson, declined to speak to DVB, citing “military confidentiality.”

The Chin National Defence Force (CNDF), a member of the Chin Brotherhood, told DVB on the condition of anonymity that fighting over control of Falam is ongoing.

Chin World, the local news agency, reported that both Falam and its Surbung Airport were recaptured by regime forces on April 25. Falam, located 41 miles (66 km) north of Hakha, was seized by the Chin Brotherhood in April 2025.

Regime media reported that 19 “terrorists” were killed by regime troops, which is how Naypyidaw refers to Chin resistance force members. The military doesn’t disclose its fatalities. It launched a counteroffensive to retake Falam in October 2025.

Residents in Chin State told DVB that regime forces recaptured Taingen, a strategic village that sits at the junction connecting northern to southern Chin, on Nov. 9. Taingen is located 91 miles (146 km) north of Hakha.

The Chin Brotherhood seized control of southern Chin’s Kanpetlet, Mindat, and Matupi townships in June and December 2024.

Tonzang township, located 65 miles (105 km) north of Hakha, and parts of Thantlang Township, located 22 miles (35 km) west of Hakha, were seized in August 2023 and May 2024 by Chinland Council forces, which includes the Chin National Army (CNA) and the Chinland Defence Force (CDF).

The CNA and the CDF seized the India-Myanmar border town of Rikhawdar in Falam district in November 2023.

The Interim Chin National Consultative Council (ICNCC)—the political wing of the Chin Brotherhood—and the Chinland Council have engaged in unification talks, but no formal progress has been announced publicly since Feb. 26, 2025.