3 killed, 3 missing in Manipur militant attack and communal clashes
Synopsis
In a single 24-hour window, Manipur recorded a militant ambush on firewood collectors near Nongshum, a fatal communal clash at Khangabok village in Thoubal, and the torching of over 25 houses in Kamjong — leaving three dead, several injured, three missing, and hundreds displaced. The multi-district violence signals a dangerous widening of the state's already fragile security fault lines.
Key Takeaways
Two people were shot dead by suspected militants who ambushed firewood collectors near Nongshum , Imphal East , on 19 October .
Three people are reported missing following the Imphal East attack; a large-scale search operation is underway.
Laishram Rakesh was killed after unidentified persons opened fire during communal clashes at Khangabok village , Thoubal district , on Sunday night.
The Thoubal District Magistrate imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS in Khangabok and Sangaiyumpham.
More than 25 houses were torched in Kamjong district in 24 hours , with suspected militants targeting Naga and Kuki inhabited areas near the India-Myanmar border .
Three people were killed, several others injured, and three reported missing in Manipur on Monday, 19 October, as separate incidents of militant ambush and communal clashes struck Imphal East and Thoubal districts, police confirmed. The violence, spanning two districts and extending into Kamjong, underscores the fragile security situation across the northeastern state.
Militant Ambush in Imphal East
Two people were shot dead and two others wounded when suspected militants ambushed a group of firewood collectors in hilly forested areas near Nongshum in Imphal East on Monday morning. According to police, around 10 people had entered the area to collect firewood when the attackers struck, killing two on the spot and injuring two others.
Three more members of the group remain missing following the attack. Efforts were underway to retrieve the bodies of the deceased, and additional security forces were deployed to launch a search operation to locate the missing persons and apprehend the assailants.
Communal Clashes in Thoubal District
In a separate incident, one person was killed and several others injured during clashes between members of two communities at Khangabok village, under Thoubal police station, approximately 25 km south of Imphal. The violence reportedly broke out on Sunday night after a group allegedly pelted stones at a venue hosting a music concert.
The stone-pelting escalated into clashes between members of the two communities in Khangabok and the neighbouring village of Sangaiyumpham. Several houses and vehicles were set on fire during the unrest. Amid the violence, unidentified persons opened fire, striking a man in the head.
The injured man, identified as Laishram Rakesh, was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries, police said. Several others sustained minor injuries from stone-pelting and were hospitalised for treatment.
Prohibitory Orders Imposed Under BNSS
The Thoubal District Magistrate issued prohibitory orders on Sunday night under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), directing residents of Khangabok and Sangaiyumpham not to leave their homes from 11 pm onwards. The order cited the likelihood of a breach of peace, disturbance of public tranquillity, and an imminent threat to human life and property due to alleged activities of anti-social elements. The order did not specify a date for the lifting of restrictions. Additional state and central security forces were deployed in the affected villages, and police said the situation was under control by Monday morning.
Houses Torched in Kamjong District
In a further deterioration of security, more than 25 houses were set ablaze across Kamjong district during the preceding 24 hours, with suspected militants targeting areas inhabited by both Naga and Kuki communities. Around 14 abandoned houses belonging to the Naga community were set on fire by unidentified attackers at Pilong and Skipe villages along the India-Myanmar border on Sunday. The houses had reportedly been abandoned following earlier attacks on Naga-inhabited villages. Civilians were forced to flee their homes and seek shelter in forests and a nearby security camp. Additional security forces were deployed following these incidents.
The multiple incidents in Manipur within a single 24-hour window reflect persisting ethnic and insurgency-linked tensions in the state; security agencies are expected to remain on high alert in the coming days.
Point of View
In aggregate, evidence of a state where the writ of governance remains tenuous across entire districts. The torching of houses in Kamjong along the India-Myanmar border specifically warrants scrutiny: abandoned villages are becoming staging grounds, and the cycle of displacement feeding further vulnerability is accelerating. Without a visible political track running alongside the security response, each operation risks being reactive rather than restorative.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Imphal East on 19 October 2026?
Suspected militants ambushed a group of firewood collectors near Nongshum in Imphal East on Monday, killing two people and injuring two others. Three more members of the group are reported missing, and a search operation is ongoing.
Who was killed in the Thoubal district clashes?
Laishram Rakesh was killed after being shot in the head during communal clashes at Khangabok village in Thoubal district on Sunday night. He was taken to hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
Why were prohibitory orders imposed in Thoubal?
The Thoubal District Magistrate imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) after communal clashes erupted at Khangabok and Sangaiyumpham villages. The orders, issued Sunday night, barred residents from leaving their homes from 11 pm, citing threats to public tranquillity and human life.
What happened in Kamjong district?
More than 25 houses were set on fire in Kamjong district over a 24-hour period, with suspected militants targeting areas inhabited by both Naga and Kuki communities. Around 14 abandoned Naga-owned houses were torched at Pilong and Skipe villages near the India-Myanmar border, forcing civilians to flee to forests and a nearby security camp.
What is the current security situation in Manipur?
As of Monday morning, police said the situation in Thoubal was under control, with additional state and central security forces deployed in affected areas. Search operations remain active in Imphal East for the three missing persons and the attackers, while reinforcements have also been sent to Kamjong district.
