Myanmar-based militants involved in Sep 1 attacks?
Source: The Sangai Express

Senapati, September 02 2026: KNA-Burma cadres are suspected to have been involved in the armed attack on Pipuram Makui, Tapon Naga (Old) Village and Tapon Naga Namsan (New) Village under T Waichong Sub-Division of Kangpokpi district yesterday, in which more than 30 houses and several properties were destroyed and two persons, including a Pastor, were injured, according to a local report.

One of the injured persons claimed that the presence of KNA-B personnel could not be ruled out, as he could not understand the dialect spoken by some of the attackers, despite his ability to speak the Kuki/Thadou dialect.

Myanmar-based militants involved in Sep 1 attacks?

The attack, reportedly carried out by armed Kuki militants, continued for several hours till around 12.30 pm, when security personnel reached the affected villages.

According to the reports, the Kuki militants surrounded the three villages and opened fire, forcing villagers to flee for safety.

Houses were allegedly ransacked and set ablaze, while food stocks, granaries and other livelihood assets were destroyed.

Several vehicles and other properties, including trucks, a JCB machine, two-wheelers, an Eeco van and a rice mill, were also burnt and damaged.

Thirteen houses belonging to villagers of New Tapon were burnt, along with a Church granary.

Properties destroyed included a Shaktiman vehicle, scooter, motorcycle, stone crusher and an Eeco van.

At Old Tapon, 10 houses, including a Church, were burnt down.

A JCB machine, Shaktiman vehicle and Tata truck belonging to villagers were also destroyed.

Pastor of Tapon Naga (Old) Village, Luithuibou Newmai, was critically injured after being shot while attempting to flee to safety.

Another villager, G Abonmai, vice-president of the Youth Club of Tapon Naga Namsan (New) Village, was also injured.

Speaking to the media at District Hospital, Senapati, Luithuibou said he used to visit different parts of the village for prayer in the early morning due to the prevailing situation.

He said that he was at his last place of prayer when firing began from different directions at around 3.45 am by Kuki militants.

Unable to move because of the continuous firing, he remained there till around 12.30 pm, he added.

As he attempted to leave, he was hit by gunfire in his right hand and back.

Doctors at the district hospital reportedly found around seven pellets lodged near his spine, he said.

The Pastor said he was carrying a bag containing a Bible and a torchlight when he was fired upon and that the bag may have helped save his life.

He alleged that although security personnel posted in the area could have reached the firing site within five to seven minutes, no security personnel arrived while the firing was underway.

He said security personnel from Senapati reached the area at around 1 pm.

The Pastor said there was extensive destruction in the area, including the loss of domestic animals.

He added that the absence of an ambulance prevented him from reaching Senapati immediately after he was injured.

According to him, CRPF personnel later escorted him up to Chawangkining, from where security personnel from Senapati escorted him to the district headquarters.

Luithuibou claimed that more than 200 armed Kuki militants were involved in the attack on the three villages.

He also said that the presence of KNA-B personnel from Myanmar could not be ruled out, as he could not understand the dialect spoken by some of the attackers, despite his ability to speak the Kuki/Thadou dialect.

Meanwhile, the Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur (LNC-M) called upon the Government of India and the Government of Manipur to take immediate and decisive measures to protect the lives, homes and livelihoods of Liangmai Naga people, ensure security at vulnerable villages and bring those responsible for the attack to justice.