4 Killed in Manipur Ambush Near Myanmar Border; Police Suspect Attackers Came From Across Border

Imphal: Four people, including a father and his son, were killed in an armed attack in Pilong village of Manipur’s Kamjong district on Thursday, police said. The incident took place at around 4 pm near Indo-Myanmar border pillar No. 95, around 30 km from Chasad police station.

Police suspect that the attackers may have entered Manipur from across the Myanmar border.

A senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the attack was believed to have been carried out by armed individuals from across the border. The identities of the attackers have not yet been officially established.

Father-Son Among Four Killed
According to police, four people were killed in the attack, while a man identified as Akhan Kaping managed to escape and subsequently alerted authorities.

A police team led by the Officer-in-Charge of Chasad police station, accompanied by local residents and personnel from the Assam Rifles, reached Pilong village to recover the bodies and assist the injured.

Local residents identified the deceased as Phami Jajo, Ningthem Jingsui, Beterson Jajo and Wareishim Jajo. However, officials have not independently confirmed the identities.

KNA-B Under Suspicion
While police have yet to confirm who carried out the attack, reports indicate that suspicion has fallen on the Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B) faction. The allegation has not been officially established, and further investigation is underway to determine the identity and motive of the attackers.

Fresh Violence Amid Naga-Kuki Tensions
Kamjong district shares an international border with Myanmar and is predominantly inhabited by members of the Tangkhul Naga community. The latest attack comes amid continuing tensions between Naga and Kuki communities in the region. According to local accounts, tensions escalated following an altercation on February 7.

On May 13, four people, including three church leaders, were reportedly killed in separate attacks. Subsequently, 48 people were taken hostage by the two sides, although all were later released. The bodies of six Naga individuals were subsequently recovered in what local groups described as a mutilated condition.

Local accounts put the death toll from the broader Naga-Kuki conflict at more than 40, although figures may vary depending on the incidents and period included.

24-Hour Shutdown Called
The Tangkhul Naga Long has announced a 24-hour shutdown in response to the latest violence. The shutdown is scheduled to begin at 7 am on Friday and continue until 7 am on Saturday. The organisation has blamed the KNA-B and alleged “Kuki narco-terrorists” for the attack and called for action over the killings. Security forces remain deployed in the area, while authorities are investigating the incident and monitoring the situation along the sensitive border region.