Six Naga villages come under attack, one Kuki militant killed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 23 2026: In a major escalation to the ongoing violence, as many as six Naga villages spread across two districts came under fierce attacks from suspected Kuki militants today.

One suspected Kuki militant was killed in an exchange of fire at Lasan Songpi village in Tameng-long district.

The deceased has been identified as Paojangam Chongloi (36) s/o Lutjalam Chongloi of Wokotphai.

Sources said that a large number of suspected Kuki militants, armed with sophisticated firearms and explosives, launched fierce and coordinated attacks at Makui Chamriupiu, Langka and Thanamba villages in Kangpokpi district along Imphal-Tamei (IT) Road this morning.

Six Naga villages come under attack, one Kuki militant killed

The Makui village authority alleged that the coordinated attack was carried out by a combined team of KNF(P), KNF(N) and KRA .

As their villages came under fierce attack, residents of Makui Chamriupiu, Langka and Thanamba villages fled for life and took shelter in nearby jungles.

The Kuki militants also burnt down several houses and other structures at the three Naga villages.

Naga village guards retaliated and intermittent exchange of firing went on until a strong security team reached the area.

Additional security personnel had reportedly rushed to the spot looking after the tense situation.

Almost simultaneously, another group of suspected Kuki militants attacked Kekru Naga (Tazeikaiphun Part 3), Mukti Khullen Part-V and Mukti Kapningching Naga villages under Nungba sub-division in Noney district.

In retaliation, Naga village guards fired toward Kuki militants who were trying to advance toward the Naga villages.

The gunfights lasted for some minutes before security personnel rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

Yet, the suspected Kuki militants managed to burn down three houses at Mukti Khullen Part-V and Mukti Kapningching.

However, there was no report of any injuries or casualties on either side.

Security forces deployed in the area have been put on high alert to prevent any kind of further unwanted incidents.

As reported in the Ukhrul Times, Tazeikaiphun villagers have alleged that ammunition recovered after the exchange of fire bore headstamp markings associated with Indian ordnance factories, including markings identified as "KF" and "OFV" .

They claimed the markings correspond to ammunition manufactured at Ammunition Factory Khadki in Maharashtra and Ordnance Factory Varangaon.

The villagers have raised questions over how ammunition manufactured by Indian State-owned ordnance facilities allegedly came into the possession of armed groups.

The markings and recovered ammunition would require forensic examination and verification by competent authorities.

The Tazeikaiphun Youths Club has expressed deep concern that Assam Rifles personnel had arrived at the village for an overnight stay immediately before today's attack.

The close timing of these events has understandably raised serious concerns among villagers.

The youth club has demanded a prompt, impartial and transparent investigation into the circumstances, including the movement of personnel and the security arrangements during the night.

In the afternoon at around 3.30 pm, suspected Kuki militants surrounded another Makui Thebram, another Naga village.

As the village rained bullets and bombs on the village, Naga village guards fired back and engaged the Kuki militants.

Even as intermittent firing went on for a considerable length of time at Makui Thebram village, there was no report of any injuries or casualties.

Security forces had reportedly rushed to the village to bring the situation under control, said the sources.

Meanwhile, residents of the Naga villages have questioned the role of the security personnel deployed in their area.

They pointed out that coordinated and simultaneous attacks took place in the presence of Central security forces.

This was not the first time Kuki militants attacked Langka village.

On June 13, 2026, kuki militants attacked Langka village, burnt down huts and killed one buffalo.

On June 14, Kuki militants laid an ambush and killed two farmers, they said.

The Mukti Khullen Village Authority has strongly condemned the armed attack and the burning of residential houses and appealed to the authorities to take appropriate measures to protect civilians and their properties.