In a major counter-insurgency operation in Manipur, at least four militants of the banned Kuki outfit United Kuki National Army (UKNA) were killed and one arrested during a gunfight with security forces in Churachandpur district on Tuesday, officials confirmed. The operation involved personnel from the 21 Para Special Forces and 36 Assam Rifles, responding to intelligence inputs about militant activity in the area.

According to a statement by the Assam Rifles PRO, the encounter occurred around 6 a.m. in Khanpi village, under Henglep sub-division, approximately 80 km west of Churachandpur town. “During the operation, the militant group resorted to unprovoked firing on the security forces. In the ensuing firefight between the troops and armed cadres of UKNA, a non-SoO (Suspension of Operation) insurgent group, four cadres of the terrorist organisation were neutralised,” the release said.

The operation was launched following a spate of atrocities by UKNA cadres, which included the killing of a village chief, intimidation of locals, and attempts to destabilise peace in the region. Officials confirmed that the search and clearance operation was ongoing in adjoining areas, highlighting the commitment of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles to protect civilians and ensure regional security.

While official sources have not confirmed casualties among security personnel, unverified reports suggest that at least three Assam Rifles members were injured during the firefight. The bodies of the slain militants were subsequently evacuated and sent to Churachandpur district hospital.

The operation comes days after the death of the village chief of T Khonomphai, who reportedly succumbed to injuries sustained during an assault by UKNA cadres on October 27. The incident had heightened tensions in Henglep sub-division, which has seen repeated attacks by insurgent groups amid ongoing ethnic strife in Manipur.

The UKNA, whose Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement was withdrawn by the Manipur government in 2023, has been linked to multiple violent incidents in the state. Earlier this year, the group claimed responsibility for a June 30 ambush that killed three members of another Kuki outfit near Mongjang village, about 5 km from Churachandpur.

The backdrop of this operation is the ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023, which has so far claimed around 260 lives and displaced over 60,000 people. The state remains under President’s Rule, with authorities working to complete the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons by December 2025.

Security officials emphasised that the encounter was intelligence-driven and aimed at pre-empting further attacks, ensuring that militant groups responsible for violence and intimidation are neutralised. The operation is being seen as a strong message against insurgent activities and a reaffirmation of the state’s commitment to maintaining law and order.

The Assam Rifles and Indian Army continue to maintain a heightened presence in Churachandpur and surrounding areas, carrying out search operations to dismantle remaining militant networks. Officials said the operation is part of a broader strategy to restore stability and protect vulnerable communities affected by the ongoing ethnic clashes in the state.

In summary, the Churachandpur encounter underscores the continued security challenges in Manipur, particularly involving non-SoO insurgent outfits like the UKNA, which have actively contributed to the region’s persistent violence and unrest. The neutralisation of the four militants and the arrest of one cadre is being hailed as a critical step toward maintaining peace and ensuring civilian safety in the volatile district.