Bodies of the suspected Kuki militants who were killed in the encounter with the CRPF. (Viral photo via X)
Dimapur/Imphal/New Delhi: In a major flare-up of violence in Manipur, at least 10 suspected Kuki militants were killed during a fierce gunbattle with Central Reserve Police Force personnel in the Jiribam district on Monday. Some reports say 11 have been killed. The encounter began around 3pm when militants, armed with sophisticated weapons and dressed in camouflage, launched an attack on the Borobekra police station and the adjacent CRPF camp.
Two CRPF jawans were also injured in the attack.
The attack was reportedly aimed at both the police station and a nearby relief camp housing internally displaced individuals, which has raised concerns about the militants’ intentions to target vulnerable populations. Following the initial assault, security forces engaged in a heavy exchange of fire that lasted approximately 40 to 45 minutes.
The CRPF retaliated robustly, resulting in the deaths of the insurgents.
Authorities recovered a cache of weapons from the scene, including three AK-series rifles, four SLRs, two Insas rifles, an RPG launcher, and various ammunition. The bodies of the militants were subsequently transported to the Borobekra police station for identification.
The situation in Jiribam remains tense following the encounter. In response to escalating violence in the region, including previous attacks on civilians and security personnel, local authorities have imposed curfews and prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS to maintain order and prevent further unrest. Patrols by police forces have been intensified to monitor potentially volatile areas.
The Kuki-Zo Council has condemned the killings and called for a total shutdown in Kuki-majority areas from 5am to 6pm on Tuesday as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives. They described the deceased as “Kuki-Zo village volunteers” and demanded thorough investigations into the incident.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of violence that has plagued Manipur since ethnic tensions flared between the Meitei community in the Imphal valley and Kuki-Zo groups from the hills. Since May last year, nearly 300 individuals have been killed officially amid ongoing clashes, with thousands displaced from their homes due to violence.
As authorities continue operations to flush out remaining militants in Jiribam, there are reports of civilians going missing during the chaos. It remains unclear whether these individuals were abducted by fleeing militants or took refuge during the gunfire. Search operations are underway to locate them.
The situation is fluid, with further developments expected as security forces remain on high alert across Manipur’s troubled districts.
