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In the dead of night last month, Iang Za Kim listened to explosions in a nearby village, and subsequently fighter jets flying overhead. She ran out her home to see a smoke cloud far away.

"We were terrified. We feared the military's aircraft would bomb us too. So we seized our essentials – some food and clothes and fled into the woodlands around our village."

She visibly shakes as she tells the events of what happened on 26 November in K-Haimual, situated in Myanmar's western Chin region. She's among thousands of civilians who've abandoned their homes in recent weeks subsequent to the national armed forces initiated a relentless assault of aerial attacks, and a ground offensive in rebel-held areas nationwide.

People in Chin state have labeled the junta's latest offensive as the most brutal it has launched in more than three years. A large number of those uprooted have sought refuge in other regions of the state. Iang is part of a group that entered into India's Mizoram state. Now housed in a dilapidated badminton court in Vaphai village, the group's few belongings they were able to carry are contained in sacks.

An octogenarian has had to escape his village at the age of 80, living in temporary huts in the wilderness for days, until at last finding refuge.

"We fear our own government. They are exceptionally brutal. Their military has entered our and other villages in the past, they've detained individuals, abused them, and set houses ablaze," he says.

It is difficult to speak to Burmese civilians freely. Myanmar's ruling junta prohibits open movement in the country for overseas correspondents. It took over the country in a military takeover in February 2021, not long after the last election.

Civilian Toll and Targeted Strikes

During its latest offensive, the junta recently targeted a clinic in a western state. Insurgent forces in Rakhine say at least 30 people were slain and more than 70 wounded.

A monitoring body says that since mid-September at least three schools and six churches in Chin State have been attacked by regime air raids, claiming the lives of 12 people comprising six children.

Evidence confirms the bombing of a school in a village on 13 October. Two students were killed as they were studying. The bombs ripped through their classrooms wounding more than a dozen other students.

Once again, a father and his young family – a wife and two young children - have been displaced. In 2021, following the coup, their home was razed in an air strike. They rebuilt their lives in another village. Now they're displaced a second time.

"I can't find the words to explain how agonizing and challenging it is and what a difficult decision it was to make to leave. But we had to do it to preserve our lives," he says.

A Disputed Vote

A prominent political group, which won decisive victories in the two elections preceding the coup, is not participating as its key figures are imprisoned.

"We reject this election. Because the military does not know how to govern our country. They only work for the gain of their senior officers. When the previous government was in power, we experienced a measure of democracy. But now all we do is weep and mourn," says Ral Uk Thang.

Another displaced woman believes the election will be manipulated. "If we participated for a party independent from the military, I believe they will tamper with the results and claim we voted for them."

The vote will be held in stages, with a result anticipated around the end of January. Insurgent organizations have labeled it a pretense.

Resistance Battleground and Sacrifices

In a headquarters of a prominent rebel group operating in the state, a senior official states: "This vote is only being held to prolong military dictatorship. It's not about the public's voice."

He highlights the areas where the fiercest combat is continuing. "Battalions of hundreds of soldiers trying to push into the northern part of Chin state from multiple fronts," he says. "The troops are being supported by air strikes, artillery fire and by drone units."

Entry to such bases is very limited. Located within thickly forested mountains, it is the heart of the fight against the junta in Chin state.

In a hospital at the base, several injured fighters were admitted overnight and had to undergo lengthy operations. Some of them have had to undergo surgeries.

Many of them were just schoolboys when the coup occurred in 2021. Just about adults now, they've let go of their dreams to engage in combat against the junta.

"While opposing forces withdrew we ran forward and I detonated a landmine. We were injured in the explosion. Then we were attacked from the air. The airstrikes make things very hard for us," states a wounded rebel. "Although I am amputated, if I must sacrifice my life I'm happy to make the sacrifice so that future generations have a improved existence."

The consequence of the brutality of the ongoing operation is evident in every corner at the hospital.

Yet, it's the support and grit of countless numbers of youngsters who took up weapons that have helped the rebels make rapid advances against a far stronger rival.

Some like 80-year-old the elderly refugee hope that following the vote, the junta will retreat, and he will be able to go back home.

"But I don't think I will live to see democracy restored in Myanmar," he says. "I hope my children and grandchildren can witness it some day."