Manipur village attack: Three killed, 7 houses burnt in Kangpokpi assault
Synopsis
Three civilians — including a husband and wife — were shot dead in a crossfire between rival armed groups in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on 5 June, with seven homes burnt and residents driven into forests. The Kuki Inpi Manipur has demanded a full investigation, as the attack marks yet another deadly strike on a tribal village in a conflict now entering its third year.
Key Takeaways
Three villagers — Letkhongam Haokip , Tinmary Haokip , and Jangminlal Haokip — were killed in the attack on 5 June .
Unidentified armed assailants attacked Loibol Khullen village in Kangpokpi district, Manipur ; a second armed group retaliated, sparking a 30-minute gunfight.
At least 7 houses were burnt to the ground and additional civilian property was damaged.
Residents fled into nearby forests; additional security forces launched a combing operation.
Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) condemned the attack and urged the Government of India to investigate and ensure justice without delay.
Three villagers, including a woman, were killed on Friday, 5 June after unidentified armed assailants stormed Loibol Khullen village in Manipur's Kangpokpi district, triggering a fierce crossfire between rival armed groups that lasted nearly 30 minutes. The attack left at least seven houses reduced to ashes and sent terrified residents fleeing into nearby forests.
How the Attack Unfolded
According to police officials, armed cadres belonging to an unidentified group launched an assault on the tribal-inhabited village. A second armed group retaliated, and the ensuing exchange of fire caught civilians in the crossfire. The three deceased have been identified as Letkhongam Haokip, his wife Tinmary Haokip, and Jangminlal Haokip.
Panic-stricken residents abandoned their homes and sought shelter in forested areas surrounding the village. In addition to the seven houses gutted by fire, substantial damage was reported to other civilian properties.
Security Response
Additional security forces, led by senior officials, were swiftly deployed to Loibol Khullen and launched a combing operation to apprehend the perpetrators. No arrests had been announced at the time of reporting.
Kuki Body Condemns the Attack
The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of the Kuki tribal community in the state, strongly condemned the assault and demanded an immediate investigation. KIM Secretary (Information and Publicity) Janghaolun Haokip said in a statement that 'the deliberate killing of innocent people and the destruction of homes and livelihoods constituted a grave violation of human dignity and fundamental human rights.'
'The deliberate targeting of civilians and the destruction of homes can never be justified under any circumstances. KIM extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and expresses its unwavering solidarity with the affected residents of Loibol Khullen village,' the statement read.
Demands for Justice and Protection
KIM urged the Government of India and concerned security agencies to launch a thorough investigation, apprehend those responsible, and ensure justice is delivered without delay. The tribal body also called on authorities to take urgent measures to safeguard vulnerable villages and prevent further attacks on civilians.
This comes amid a prolonged cycle of ethnic violence in Manipur that has claimed hundreds of lives since clashes first erupted in May 2023. The attack on Loibol Khullen is the latest in a series of assaults on civilian settlements in the state's hill districts, underscoring the fragility of any ground-level peace. With security forces now combing the area, attention will turn to whether perpetrators are identified and whether the Centre moves to reinforce protection for exposed villages.
Point of View
But of the state's basic deterrence capacity. The Centre's security deployments have repeatedly failed to prevent such attacks, and each round of condemnations from tribal bodies like KIM — without accountability for perpetrators — risks normalising the violence. The real question is not whether more forces will be deployed, but whether any investigation will produce arrests and prosecutions that might actually deter the next attack.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Manipur village attack on 5 June 2025?
Unidentified armed assailants attacked Loibol Khullen village in Kangpokpi district, Manipur, on 5 June. A second armed group retaliated, and the crossfire killed three villagers — Letkhongam Haokip, his wife Tinmary Haokip, and Jangminlal Haokip — while seven houses were burnt and residents fled into forests.
Who condemned the Manipur attack?
The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of the Kuki tribal community in Manipur, strongly condemned the attack. KIM Secretary Janghaolun Haokip called the killing of civilians and destruction of homes a grave violation of human dignity and fundamental human rights.
What action has been taken after the Kangpokpi attack?
Additional security forces led by senior officials were deployed to Loibol Khullen village and launched a combing operation to apprehend the perpetrators. No arrests had been confirmed at the time of reporting.
What did KIM demand from the government?
KIM urged the Government of India and concerned security agencies to immediately conduct a thorough investigation, apprehend those responsible, and deliver justice without delay. The body also called for urgent measures to protect vulnerable villages from further attacks.
How does this attack fit into the broader Manipur conflict?
Manipur has been gripped by ethnic violence since May 2023, with hundreds of lives lost and widespread displacement. The attack on Loibol Khullen is the latest in a series of assaults on civilian settlements in hill districts, highlighting the continued fragility of security in the region.
