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During the evening last month, a woman was startled by blasts in a adjacent village, and subsequently warplanes flying overhead. She hurried outside her home to see smoke rising in the distance.

"We were petrified. We thought the military's aircraft could strike us too. So we took what we could carry – some food and clothes and ran into the woodlands encircling our village."

Her face trembles as she tells the story of what occurred on 26 November in her village, situated in Myanmar's western Chin region. She's among countless residents who've abandoned their homes in the past few weeks subsequent to the Burmese military launched a fierce campaign of aerial attacks, and a ground offensive in insurgent-controlled zones across the country.

Some from Chin state have labeled the military's recent operation as the fiercest it has unleashed in the past three years. Countless refugees have looked for safety in different areas of the state. Iang is among a group that made the border crossing into the Indian state of Mizoram. Now housed in a decrepit badminton court in a village, the group's limited items they were able to carry are contained in sacks.

An elderly man has had to flee his home at the age of 80, living in temporary huts in the wilderness for days, before finally finding refuge.

"We fear our own government. They are incredibly harsh. Their military has invaded our and other villages in the past, they've taken citizens, mistreated them, and burned down homes," he says.

It isn't easy to speak to Burmese civilians openly. Myanmar's military government prohibits open movement in the country for overseas correspondents. It assumed power in the country in a putsch in February 2021, soon after the last election.

Civilian Toll and Deliberate Attacks

As part of the newest operation, the junta recently attacked a hospital in Rakhine State. Insurgent forces in Rakhine say at least 30 people were slain and more than 70 wounded.

A human rights organization states that over recent months at least three schools and several churches in Chin State have been hit by military bombing, claiming the lives of 12 people including six children.

Reports indicate the bombing of a school in a community on 13 October. Two students perished as they were attending lessons. The bombs tore through their classrooms wounding more than a dozen other students.

Once again, Bawi Nei Lian and his small family – a wife and two young children - have been made homeless. Back in 2021, following the coup, their home was burnt down in an air strike. They started over in another village. Now they're without a home once more.

"Words fail me to explain how painful and hard it is and what a tough choice it was to make to leave. But we had to do it to stay alive," he says.

A Disputed Election

The National League for Democracy party, which won overwhelming majorities in the two elections preceding the coup, will not be contesting as its key figures are in jail.

"This vote is unwanted. Because the military is incapable of govern our country. They only work for the benefit of their top officials. When the civilian leadership was in power, we experienced a bit of democracy. But now all we do is weep and mourn," says the refugee.

Iang Za Kim believes the election will be rigged. "If we voted for a party independent from the military, I believe they will falsify the outcome and claim we voted for them."

The poll will take place in rounds, with a result anticipated around the end of January. Rebel groups have called it a farce.

Insurgent Frontline and Sacrifices

At a base of a leading insurgent force operating in the state, a senior official states: "This vote is only being held to perpetuate military dictatorship. It's not about the will of the people."

He indicates the areas where the heaviest clashes is continuing. "There are columns of hundreds of soldiers trying to push into the northern part of Chin state from several axes," he says. "The infantry are being supported by air strikes, artillery fire and by UAVs."

Visits to such bases is very limited. Located within dense jungle highlands, it is the center of the resistance against the junta in Chin state.

At a medical facility at the base, several injured fighters were brought in overnight and had to undergo extensive medical procedures. Some of them have had to undergo limb removals.

Several were just youths when the coup occurred in 2021. Recently come of age, they've abandoned their dreams to serve in the conflict against the junta.

"While opposing forces withdrew we ran forward and I stepped on a landmine. We were injured in the explosion. Then we were struck from above. The airstrikes make things very challenging for us," says one injured fighter. "I've lost a leg, should I lose my life I'm happy to make the sacrifice so that those who follow have a improved existence."

The impact of the brutality of the ongoing operation is visible in ward after ward at the hospital.

However, it's the support and grit of many thousands of youths who picked up arms that have helped the rebels make significant gains against a far stronger rival.

Some like 80-year-old the elderly refugee hope that post-poll, the junta will pull back, and he will be able to repatriate.

"Yet I believe I will live to see democracy restored in Myanmar," he says. "I wish my children and grandchildren can witness it some day."