Burmese soldiers have reportedly burned down a village in the mountains of western Myanmar.

The state troops allegedly razed at least 15 houses in Chuncung village in Chin state on July 15. The small town is located in a mountainous area seven miles away from the state's capital of Hakha.

Footage shows several columns of smoke rising from the cluster of homes being consumed by the fire.

The Burmese junta allegedly employs arson as one of its counterinsurgency tactics. Chin State is located next to the Sagaing Division, said to be a stronghold for rebel forces in Myanmar.

The struggle between armed militias and the Burmese military has intensified amid the political turmoil in Myanmar caused by the ousting of former leader Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.

Around the country, thousands of civilians are said to have been killed during military crackdowns on protests.