In a pre-dawn encounter on Tuesday, security forces gunned down at least four militants of the banned United Kuki National Army (UKNA) and arrested one during an intelligence-based operation in Manipur&rsquo;s Churachandpur district.
According to an Assam Rifles spokesperson, the operation began around 6 a.m. in Khanpi village under Henglep subdivision, about 80 km west of Churachandpur town. The elite 21 Para (Special Forces) unit also joined the operation.
Officials said the insurgents opened unprovoked fire, prompting retaliation from the forces. Three Assam Rifles personnel were injured in the gunfight. The bodies of the slain insurgents were taken to the Churachandpur district hospital.
Security sources revealed that the operation followed a spate of violent incidents linked to UKNA, including the killing of a village chief and threats to locals.
In a statement, Assam Rifles said the &ldquo;successful neutralisation&rdquo; demonstrated their commitment to protecting civilians and restoring peace in Manipur.
Meanwhile, the UKNA condemned the attack, claiming the cadres were killed in their sleep. The group reiterated its demand for a separate Union Territory administration for the Kuki-Zo areas.
Manipur has been under President&rsquo;s Rule since ethnic violence erupted on May 3, 2023, killing around 260 people and displacing over 60,000. The renewed Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, signed in September 2025, remains contentious amid valley residents&rsquo; calls for its withdrawal.

Security forces kill four UKNA insurgents in Churachandpur, Manipur; one arrested

Four UKNA Insurgents Killed in Manipur Clash

Security forces kill four UKNA insurgents in Churachandpur, Manipur; one arrested

November 5, 2025 | 16:19 IST