The CDF-Tonzang base was reportedly attacked by the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) on September 10th, a CDF public statement reveals.
"Several troops from ZRA were injured during the clash, and therefore they withdrew their troops towards Lungtak village and confiscated two of villagers's motorbikes" the statement noted.
It was further confirmed in the statement that a soldier from the CDF was killed during the encounter. Just over a week earlier, on August 30, the ZRA managed to seize one of the CDF bases in the Tonzang township, likewise resulting in the death of another soldier in the exchange of fire.
ZRA, which is accused of backing the Myanmar junta for increased authority over their claimed territory in Tonzang township, has come under scrutiny and criticism. Despite these allegations, ZRA denies the allegation.
CDF-Tonzang operates under the command of Chin National Army (CNA), an ethnic armed group based in the Thanlang township in Chin state. The ZRA accuses them of enacting a divide-and-rule strategy to attain increased control within their territory.
ZRA is primarily based in India's Manipur state and they expanded their presence to Myanmar's Chin state in 2018, operating as ZRA-Eastern Command.
There have been persistent tensions between the ZRA and local armed resistance groups in Chin State, including but not limited to CDF Tonzang. Just after the military coup, the ZRA attacked the People's Defence Army (PDA) camp, looting their possessions, including their weapons, and assaulting their members.
Immediately following the military coup in 2021, the ZRA issued an official statement stating that they would not permit any armed group to operate in their claimed territories, which include Tonzang, Tedim, and Cikha townships in western Chin State bordering India.
