At least four militants belonging to the proscribed United Kuki National Army (UKNA) were killed in a fierce encounter with security forces in Manipur’s Churachandpur district early Tuesday, officials said.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs regarding the presence of armed insurgents in Khanpi village under Henglep sub-division, a joint team of security forces launched an operation around 5:30 am, a senior police officer said.
“As the troops closed in on the area, the militants opened fire, leading to a heavy exchange of gunfire that lasted several hours,” the officer stated. “Four militants were neutralised in the encounter, while others managed to escape. Efforts are underway to identify those killed.”
A defence spokesperson confirmed the incident, noting that “in the early hours of November 4, terrorists resorted to unprovoked firing on an Army column during an intelligence-based operation at Khanpi village, about 80 km west of Churachandpur.” He added that “in the ensuing firefight, four cadres of the non-SoO group were eliminated.”
The United Kuki National Army is not part of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement signed between the Centre, the Manipur government, and several Kuki-Zomi insurgent groups.
Security forces have since intensified search and combing operations in and around Khanpi village to trace the remaining militants. The operation was continuing till late evening, officials confirmed.
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