28 civilians freed in Manipur after May 13 church pastor killings
Synopsis
Three Baptist Church pastors shot dead on a mountain road in Manipur's Kangpokpi district triggered an immediate hostage crisis, with 38 Kuki and Naga civilians seized by rival armed groups. Within 48 hours, joint efforts by security forces, CSOs, and community leaders secured the release of 28 — but 10 remain in captivity, keeping the situation on a knife's edge.
Key Takeaways
28 civilians — 14 Naga and 14 Kuki — were safely released in Manipur on 15 May 2025 .
The releases followed the May 13 ambush on Tiger Road, Kangpokpi district , which killed three Baptist Church pastors and injured four others .
A total of 38 civilians from Kuki and Naga communities were taken hostage across Kangpokpi and Senapati districts after the attack.
10 hostages remain in captivity; security forces and CSOs are continuing efforts to secure their release.
A case has been registered and investigation is underway in connection with the May 13 killings.
A separate civilian was shot dead and his wife injured in Noney district on the same day.
Twenty-eight civilians from the Kuki and Naga communities were safely released in Manipur on Friday, 15 May 2025, following coordinated efforts by security forces, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and community leaders, officials confirmed. The releases came in the wake of the May 13 ambush in Kangpokpi district that killed three Baptist Church pastors and left four others injured, triggering a wave of retaliatory civilian detentions across two districts.
What Happened on May 13
Unidentified armed cadres ambushed two vehicles along Tiger Road in the mountainous Kangpokpi district on the morning of 13 May, killing three Baptist Church leaders on the spot and injuring four others. The victims, all belonging to the Kuki community, were travelling in the vehicles when the attackers opened fire. On the same day, a civilian was shot dead and his wife injured in Noney district, compounding the violence.
Civilian Detentions Across Two Districts
In the immediate aftermath of the killings, a total of 38 people from the Kuki and Naga communities were reportedly taken hostage by armed groups in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts. Many were detained near Leilon Vaiphei and Saparmeina villages in Kangpokpi district, as well as in Senapati district, and were taken to unknown locations, according to officials. Kangpokpi district is predominantly inhabited by Kuki-Zo community members, while Senapati district is largely populated by Naga communities — a demographic fault line that has historically fuelled inter-community tensions in the state.
Joint Efforts Secure 28 Releases
A senior Manipur government official confirmed that public leaders, CSOs, and security forces worked in close coordination to trace the detained individuals. Among the 28 released — including women — 14 members of the Naga community who had been held by Kuki groups and 14 Kuki villagers detained by Naga groups were freed. 'As a result of the joint efforts of the administration, security forces, public leaders and CSOs, a majority of the detained civilians, numbering 28 and belonging to different communities, were safely released on Friday,' the official said. Central and state security forces also conducted immediate joint search operations in and around the attack site and neighbouring villages.
Investigation and Appeal for Peace
A case has been registered in connection with the May 13 murders and further investigation is underway, officials said. Authorities have appealed to the public to cooperate with the administration and security forces in maintaining peace and ensuring the safe release of the remaining 10 detained civilians. Officials stressed that all-out efforts are continuing to secure those still in captivity. This comes amid Manipur's prolonged ethnic conflict, which has seen repeated cycles of violence and civilian suffering since May 2023 — making the current episode the latest in an ongoing and deeply entrenched crisis.
Point of View
The cycle of killings and retaliatory detentions is likely to repeat.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the three people killed in the May 13 Manipur attack?
The three victims were Baptist Church pastors belonging to the Kuki community, who were travelling in two vehicles along Tiger Road in Kangpokpi district when unidentified armed cadres ambushed them and opened fire. Four others in the vehicles were injured in the attack.
How many civilians were taken hostage after the May 13 violence in Manipur?
A total of 38 civilians from the Kuki and Naga communities were reportedly taken hostage by armed groups in Kangpokpi and Senapati districts following the May 13 attack. Of these, 28 have been released as of 15 May 2025; 10 remain in captivity.
How were the 28 hostages released in Manipur?
The 28 civilians were released through coordinated efforts by the Manipur government administration, security forces, public leaders, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). Joint search operations were also conducted by Central and state security forces near the attack site and neighbouring villages.
Who are the communities involved in the Manipur hostage crisis?
The detained civilians belonged to the Kuki and Naga communities. Fourteen Naga community members were held by Kuki groups, and 14 Kuki villagers were held by Naga groups. Kangpokpi district is predominantly Kuki-Zo, while Senapati district is largely Naga.
What is the current status of the Manipur investigation?
A case has been registered in connection with the May 13 murders and investigation is underway, according to officials. Authorities have appealed to the public to cooperate with security forces and have confirmed that efforts to release the remaining 10 hostages are continuing.
