In an early morning operation on Tuesday, security forces killed at least four insurgents belonging to the banned Kuki outfit United Kuki National Army (UKNA) and arrested one in Manipur’s Churachandpur district, officials said.
According to an Assam Rifles spokesperson, the encounter took place around 6 am in Khanpi village under Henglep sub-division, approximately 80 km west of Churachandpur town. The operation, based on specific intelligence inputs, was conducted jointly by the Assam Rifles and 21 Para (Special Forces) units.
The spokesperson said that the UKNA militants opened unprovoked fire at the security forces during the operation, prompting retaliatory action. “The successful neutralisation of these terrorists highlights the Indian Army and Assam Rifles’ commitment to protecting innocent civilians, mitigating threats, and ensuring peace and security in Manipur,” the spokesperson stated.
Bodies moved to district hospital; three personnel injured
Officials confirmed that four insurgents were killed in the operation while one was taken into custody for interrogation. The bodies of the deceased militants were shifted to the Churachandpur district hospital for post-mortem and identification.
During the gunfight, three Assam Rifles personnel sustained injuries and were immediately evacuated for medical treatment. Security forces have since launched search operations in adjoining areas to locate any remaining insurgents or hidden weapons.
UKNA and local groups condemn the encounter
In a statement, the United Kuki National Army condemned the actions of the security forces, alleging that the “four cadres were killed while they were asleep.” The outfit further reiterated its political demand, stating,
“We stand for a separate administration from Manipur state. We will surrender ourselves once the Separate Administration (Union Territory) demand is fulfilled.”
Several Kuki-Zo civil society organisations have also criticised the incident, demanding a transparent investigation into the circumstances of the killings.
Operation linked to recent UKNA activities
Security officials said that the Tuesday encounter followed a string of violent incidents attributed to the UKNA in the past week, including the killing of a village chief, intimidation of local residents, and attempts to disrupt peace efforts in the region.
Authorities believe the crackdown will help prevent further escalation of violence and strengthen ongoing peace and rehabilitation efforts in Manipur’s hill districts.
Background: Manipur’s prolonged ethnic unrest
Manipur has remained on edge since ethnic clashes erupted on May 3, 2023, between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. The conflict has so far claimed around 260 lives and displaced over 60,000 people across the state.
The state, currently under President’s Rule, continues to witness intermittent violence despite security deployments and peace initiatives. The Manipur government has announced that rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) will be completed by December 2025.