10 Myanmar-based Kuki militants killed in Chandel clash
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 15 2025: Security forces reportedly gunned down around 10 Kuki militants based in Myanmar in a fierce encounter near New Samtal village in Chandel district along the Indo-Myanmar border on Wednesday evening, recovering several weapons from the slain persons.

According to a source, a team of security forces deployed in Khengjoi sub-division of Chandel district launched an operation on Wednesday on the basis of receiving a tip-off regarding movement of some armed militants near New Samtal village of the sub-division.

The armed militants fired towards the security team when the latter approached the village, prompting the security team to retaliate.

After about one hour of heavy exchange of fire, the militants fled the area.

Additional security teams from other areas too rushed to the area upon receiving information of the encounter and launched a search operation.

During a thorough search, bodies of 10 militants and their weapons were recovered, the source informed adding that all the deceased could be cadres of a Myanmar based Kuki militant group.

According to the source, security forces continued the search operation in the area till late Thursday evening but there have been no reports of making any arrest or recovery of more bodies though the search operation was expanded to more areas.

As all the deceased were Myanmar citizens, their bodies are likely to be handed over to the Myanmarese authority without being brought to Manipur.

All the bodies are now being kept along the border while contact is made with the Myanmarese authorities for handing over the corpses, the source added.

According to a post uploaded by Indian Army's Eastern Command in its X account, the operation was initiated by an Assam Rifles unit under Spears Crops on May 14 following intelligence inputs about the movement of armed cadres near New Samtal village in Khengjoi sub-division of Chandel district.

"During the operation, the troops were fired upon by suspected cadres to which they quickly reacted, redeployed and retaliated in a calibrated and measured manner.

In the ensuing firefight, 10 cadres were neutralised and a sizeable quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered," it added.

Another source informed that cadres of a Myanmar based militant group threatened BRTF officials to stop the ongoing fencing work along the Indo-Myanmar border near BP 59.Upon receiving the report, Assam Rifles troops deployed in the area rushed to the site on Wednesday.

However, the troops were fired upon by the militants and the troops too retaliated.

After fierce encounter for nearly one hour, 10 militants were killed and many weapons were recovered from them, the source added.

The site of the encounter is close to the India-Myanmar international border in the hilly terrain of Chandel district, an official said, adding it is 130 km from the state capital Imphal and has scant human inhabitation.

Kohima-based Defence PRO told PTI, "The operation is still underway on Thursday morning and more information will be shared only when it is over" .

When asked about the identity of the militants involved, a central security official said, "The troops are still conducting operations and the identity is yet to be confirmed" .

(With inputs from PTI) .

Comment