Junta Reportedly Preparing Offensive on Rikhawdar — Strategic India-Border Trade Hub Held by Chin Resistance Since Nov 2023

Myanmar's military junta is reportedly preparing to launch operations against Rikhawdar, a strategic trade hub on the Myanmar-India border in Chin State held by the Chin National Army (CNA) and Chinland Defence Force (CDF) since November 2023, according to DVB reporting on May 6, 2026. The expected offensive on Rikhawdar follows the SAC's April 25-26 recapture of Falam (Chin State capital) and May 5 capture of Mawlu (Sagaing Region) — indicating a broader junta strategy to roll back resistance gains in western and northwestern Myanmar and cut the resistance's connections to India's border. Rikhawdar (also spelled Rih Khua Dar or Rizua) is an important border crossing point between Chin State and Mizoram, India, and a supply conduit for Chin resistance forces. The junta has already attacked Chin State villages near the India border — including the May 1 airstrike on Khawpuichhip and Zimpi villages (5 children killed) that triggered 150+ refugees to flee into Mizoram — suggesting a pattern of preparation for deeper Chin operations. An SAC offensive on Rikhawdar would compound India's border security concerns and increase civilian refugee flows into Mizoram and Manipur. DVB's coverage tied the Rikhawdar threat directly to the broader five-year PDF anniversary context.