Imphal: At least four militants of the proscribed United Kuki National Army (UKNA) were killed in an encounter with security forces in Manipur’s Churachandpur district early Tuesday, officials said.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of armed cadres in Khanpi village under Henglep sub-division, security forces launched an operation around 5.30 am, a senior police officer said.
As troops approached the area, the militants opened fire, triggering a fierce exchange that lasted several hours.
“Four militants were neutralised in the encounter, while others managed to escape,” the officer said, adding that efforts are underway to ascertain the identities of those killed.
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The UKNA is not among the Kuki and Zomi insurgent groups that are part of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement signed with the Centre and the Manipur government.
A defence spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating that “in the early hours of November 4, terrorists resorted to unprovoked firing on an Army column during an intelligence-based operation at Khanpi village, about 80 km west of Churachandpur.”
“In the ensuing firefight, four cadres of the non-SoO group were eliminated,” the statement added.
Search operations in and around Khanpi village were continuing till late evening, officials said.
