IMPHAL: Four Naga civilians were reportedly killed by a suspected Myanmar-based Kuki militant outfit in Manipur’s Kamjong district on September 25. The killings have reignited fears amongst the civilians already shaken up by a series of clashes and killings in the ongoing ethnic clash between Kuki and Naga community since February 2026.
The attack took place near Pilong village, close to the Indo-Myanmar border. Locals said the incident occurred around 1:30 pm near border pillars 91-93.
Sources said that security forces were rushed to the spot in the early morning of 25th September and search and cordon operations were conducted by the force for area domination. So far police have not confirmed the incident.
According to local residents, armed militants crossed over from the Myanmar side and opened fire on five people in the area. Four of them died on the spot. The fifth man managed to flee and raised the alarm, alerting both villagers and local officials.
KNA-Burma behind attack
Local sources allege that cadres of the Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B), along with other armed Kuki groups, were behind the killings. Looking at the proximity of the area to the Myanmar border, the allegation by the locals can’t be ignored immediately even if the authority has to confirm the involvement of KNA-B in the attack. The victims have been identified as Phami Jajo, Betterson Jajo and Vareishim Jajo — all residents of Kangpat Khullen — and Ningthem Kashak of Zingsui village.
The killings have sparked outrage among the Tangkhul Naga community. The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) announced a complete shutdown across its jurisdiction in protest against the deaths.
NIA arrest 4 militants
In a related development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested two Kuki student leaders from a hotel in Aizawl’s Khatla area on Thursday.
The arrests came hours after the NIA, with support from the Assam Rifles, picked up United Kuki National Army (UKNA) chief Thangkhomang Haokip and his driver from the outskirts of the Mizoram capital.
All four — Haokip, his driver, and the two student leaders — are now in NIA custody, an official confirmed.
Haokip is wanted in multiple cases registered in Manipur. Details of the charges against the two student leaders are yet to be made public. Haokip and his group are allegedly involved in many violent incidents in Manipur for the last 3 years. NIA sources also informed that the operations were conducted on the basis of the confirmed intelligence input by the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB).
