10 killed in major escalation of violence
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal/Senapati/Kangpokpi/Ukheul, October 10 2026: At least 10 people have been killed and many others injured in a major escalation to the protracted violence besieging the State since May 3, 2023 .

In a serious blow to the State Government's efforts to bring peace and normalcy in the State, clashes broke out between Kuki militants and Naga village guards at different places in Kamjong and Kangpokpi districts during the last 24 hours.

On Friday night, a team of Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) on routine patrolling duty was fired upon by Kuki militants in the precincts of Chassad Kuki village.

A large mob gathered and disrupted the efforts of the security forces to nab the assailants.

10 killed in major escalation of violence

Eventually, a heavy exchange of firing broke out between the Kuki militants and the IRB personnel for more than an hour.

In the ensuing gun battle, a woman aiding the Kuki militants was caught in the crossfire and subsequently succumbed to her injury.

After a heavy encounter with the IRB jawans, the Kuki militants launched an armed offensive against Naga civilians and set ablaze nine residential houses in Kamjong headquarters.

Naga village guards retaliated and were able to thwart off the advancing Kuki militants.

Unfortunately, two village guards identified as BS Honreipam of Ningthi and Ringphami Jajo of Ningchou sustained gunshot injuries.

Meanwhile, the KNA-B and VVEZ-an armed Kuki militia launched a coordinated ambush on civilians at Ningchou village and killed two civilians at around 9 am today.

The deceased have been identified as Ngachanso Ningshen and Leishisan Leishadang, both from Ningchou village under Kamjong subdivision, Kamjong District.

Sources said that a combined team of Kuki militants comprising those based in Myanmar and Manipur intruded into the Indian territory and attacked Naga villages located in the periphery area of Chassad under Kamjong district last night.

Naga village guards retaliated resulting in a fierce exchange of firing between the two sides which lasted till this afternoon.

Two Kuki militants were killed in the fighting at a village under the jurisdiction of Chassad police station.

More than 23 houses located opposite to Chassad police station were also reportedly burned down.

Simultaneous coordinated attacks were carried out by Kuki militants at Ningchou village, located some 25 Kms away from Chassad police station from yesterday onward which lasted till this morning.

The Kuki militants attacked the village using bombs and sophisticated firearms.

It was suspected that the Kuki militants might have suffered injuries and casualties in the retaliatory firing by Naga village guards.

Later, the Kuki militants fled from the spot toward Myanmar, leaving behind some of their arms and ammunition.

Soon after the incident, security forces rushed to the spot and took stock of the situation.

Even as additional security personnel from both State forces and Central forces have been deployed at Ningchou and adjoining places, the situation remains extremely tense.

In another incident, one individual suspected to be from the Nepali community was shot dead by suspected Kuki militants this morning at a place located between Mahadeva and Toloi along Imphal-Ukhrul road, Ukhrul district under Litan police station.

The deceased has been identified as one Sandeep Rai.

Sandeep Rai was going to his leased farmland located at Chepu Yaolen area when he was attacked and killed by suspected Kuki militants.

On getting information of the attack at around 7.30 am, a team of Litan police station rushed to the spot and picked up the body from the spot.

Litan police have also registered a case regarding the incident, sources said.

In another incident, Kuki militants attacked Makui Ashang Naga village located along Imphal-Tamei road under Kangpokpi district today morning with bombs and sophisticated firearms.

Three Naga village guards were killed in the attack.

In a shocking video circulated on social media, one of the slain Naga villagers identified as Ajinpou Ringkangmai (52) s/o Namhothiubou Ringkangmai of Makui village was seen beheaded.

The severed head was seen placed at a bunker of Kuki militants located near Makui Naga village.

The other two deceased Naga village guards have been identified as Machungamang Daimai (23) s/o Ajanbou Daimai of Thalon village and Dibambou Ringkangmei (48) s/o Kingsubui Ringkangmai of Makui village.

While attacking Makui Ashang village, Kuki militants simultaneously laid an ambush at Tapon Liangmai village.

One civilian was killed and two others were injured in the attack.

The civilian killed at Tapon Liangmai village has been identified as Ramningpou Gangmei (53) s/o Lungsangpou Gangmei of Luangchum village, Tamenglong.

The two injured victims have been identified as Nashon Pamei s/o Mereikeu Pame of Inpa village and Mathangambou Chawang s/o Adibou Chawang of Kadi village.

As Naga village guards fired back, two kuki militants reportedly sustained injuries and they were evacuated to a hospital located at Kangpokpi district.

Soon after the incident, a team of security forces rushed to the spot to assess the situation and bring the situation under control.

Sources said that the injured Naga civilians have been evacuated to Senapati district hospital.

The dead body has also been evacuated.

As the situation along Imphal-Tamei road remained tense, reinforcement teams of State and Central forces took up security measures in vulnerable areas along IT Road.

Ponringlong Naga village located along Imphal-Jiribam highway under Kangpokpi district too came under fierce attack from suspected Kuki militants at around 5 pm today.

Kuki militants also reportedly torched 10 houses at Charoi Pandongba Khunthak, under Keithelmanbi Police Station in Kangpokpi district, at around 4 pm today.

According to reports, suspected Kuki militants allegedly opened fire on villagers using sophisticated weapons.

As the villagers fled, the suspected militants allegedly set fire to their houses, reducing around 10 houses to ashes.

Further details regarding casualties, the extent of property damage and the present situation in the affected village are yet to be ascertained.

However, there was no report of any injury on the part of the villagers.