November 16, 2023: Thousands of Myanmar nationals took shelter in the Zokhawthar area of Mizoram's Champhai district following a new airstrike by the Myanmar army in the bordering areas along the Indo-Myanmar border.

The district administration, NGOs, the Young Mizo Association, and the Village Council have provided food, clothes, and medicines to the Myanmar refugees who are now taking shelter in makeshift tents in the Zokhawthar area.

According to the leaders of the Young Mizo Association (YMA), Zokhawthar, there are around 4-5 relief and refugee camps in the area.

Zokhawthar is a village in Mizoram's Champhai district, which shares its border with Myanmar. Around 160 families from Myanmar are now residing in the area.

"On Sunday evening, PDF of Myanmar attacked the Myanmar Army post along the Myanmar border. Yesterday evening, two Myanmar posts were captured by the PDF. As a result, the Myanmar Army started taking shelter in Mizoram. 39 of them surrendered to Mizoram Police last evening...We handed them over to both our governing forces...The total number of Myanmar Army personnel who surrendered before Mizoram Police is 42...More than 5000 people took refuge in two villages along the border and we also got about 20 civilian injuries - 8 of them are taken to Aizawl for better medical treatment...One succumbed to his stray bullet injuries last evening...Since last night there has been no more commotion at the border...Now it is quite calm but we don't know whether Myanmar Army will attack from the air. We can't rule out airstrike at present..." Mizoram Inspector-general of police (IGP) (Headquarters), Lalbiakthanga Khiangte said on Tuesday.