Four Militants Killed in Encounter with Security Forces in Manipur's Churachandpur

PTI, IMPHAL/CHURACHANDPUR, NOV 4, 2025 :  At least four militants, belonging to a banned outfit, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Manipur's Churachandpur district on Tuesday morning, police said.

Based on intelligence inputs about the presence of armed cadres from the proscribed United Kuki National Army (UKNA), an operation was launched around 5:30 am at Khanpi village, under Henglep sub-division in the district, a senior officer confirmed.

The UKNA is not a signatory to the Suspension of Operations (SOO) pact signed between the Centre, the state government, and the Kuki and Zomi militant groups.

During the operation, a fierce gunfight broke out between army personnel and the militants, the officer said. "At least four militants were killed during the exchange of fire, while several others managed to flee the spot," the officer added. The identities of the deceased militants have not yet been established.

A defence statement also confirmed that in the early hours of November 4, terrorists opened unprovoked fire on an army column during an intelligence-based operation at Khanpi village, approximately 80 km west of Churachandpur.

In the ensuing firefight between security forces and armed cadres of the UKNA, a non-SOO insurgent group, "four cadres of the terrorist group were neutralised," the statement said.

The operation is still ongoing, with security forces conducting searches in the adjoining areas, the statement further added.