3 killed in militant attack on Kuki village in Manipur's Kangpokpi
Synopsis
Suspected NSCN-IM militants allegedly stormed a Kuki village in Manipur's Kangpokpi district, killing three residents — including two women — and torching homes. The attack, one of the deadliest single incidents since Naga-Kuki violence resumed in February, has left four critically injured and hundreds displaced into nearby forests.
Key Takeaways
Three villagers , including two women , were killed in a militant attack on N.
Teikhang village , Kangpokpi district , Manipur , on 31 August .
Four others , including a woman, sustained bullet wounds and remain critically injured.
The Twilang Area Kuki CSO Working Committee alleged around 50 armed cadres of NSCN-IM and its alleged proxy ZUF-K carried out the attack.
Several houses were set ablaze; residents fled into nearby forests.
Manipur Police and CAPFs launched operations in the area.
More than 20 people from both Naga and Kuki communities have been killed since ethnic violence broke out in February this year .
Three villagers, including two women, were killed and four others injured when suspected militants opened indiscriminate fire on N. Teikhang, a Kuki-inhabited village in Kangpokpi district, Manipur, on Monday, 31 August, according to police officials. The attack also saw several houses set ablaze, forcing residents — including women and children — to flee into nearby forests.
What Happened at N. Teikhang
Armed militants allegedly opened fire on the village using sophisticated weapons, killing two people on the spot and injuring another, a police official in Imphal said. The Twilang Area Kuki CSO Working Committee alleged that around 50 heavily armed cadres of the separatist National Socialist Council of Nagaland – Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) and its alleged proxy force, ZUF-K, carried out what it described as 'an unprovoked and barbaric attack on innocent residents.'
The deceased have been identified as Tingneichin Lhouvum, 40, Hoineineng Lhoujem, 21, and Lamtinthang Lhoujem, 36. The four critically injured are Nemneichong Lhoujem, 50, Seilun Lhoujem, 70, Deilhing Haokip, 55, and Kamtinsei Chongloi, 38, according to the Kuki tribal organisation's statement.
Security Forces Response
Manipur Police and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) rushed to the area and launched operations to bring the situation under control. Police and security officials said additional details were being ascertained and that forces were continuing operations in and around the affected area.
Chief Minister's Condemnation
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, currently in Delhi, strongly condemned the attack in a post on X on Monday night. 'I strongly condemn the killing of three villagers, including two women and the injuries sustained by four others, including two women, at N. Teikhang village in Kangpokpi district today,' he wrote. 'I convey my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. The Government will not tolerate such violence. The culprits responsible for the killing will be arrested and punished as per the law of the land,' he added.
Broader Context: Ongoing Naga-Kuki Violence
The attack comes days after suspected militants ambushed a vehicle in the same district, killing four Naga civilians and injuring another. More than 20 people from both Naga and Kuki communities have been killed in separate firing incidents, and several houses have been burnt since violence erupted between the two communities in the state in February this year. The Kuki Students' Organisation also strongly condemned the latest attack. This is among the deadliest single incidents in the ongoing ethnic conflict, underscoring the fragile security situation in the hill districts of Manipur.
Point of View
Sophisticated weapons, and the deliberate burning of homes points to a coordinated operation, not a skirmish. The CM's condemnation from Delhi, while swift, raises a harder question: why has the security apparatus failed to prevent repeated attacks in the same district, including the ambush just days earlier? Kangpokpi's recurring vulnerability suggests that force deployment and intelligence-sharing between state police and CAPFs need urgent review.
NationPress
1 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at N. Teikhang village in Manipur?
Suspected militants opened indiscriminate fire on N. Teikhang, a Kuki-inhabited village in Kangpokpi district, Manipur, on 31 August, killing three villagers — including two women — and injuring four others. Several houses were also set ablaze during the attack, forcing residents to flee into nearby forests.
Who carried out the attack on the Kuki village in Kangpokpi?
The Twilang Area Kuki CSO Working Committee alleged that around 50 heavily armed cadres of the separatist NSCN-IM and its alleged proxy force ZUF-K carried out the attack. Police said additional details were still being ascertained.
Who are the victims of the Kangpokpi militant attack?
The three deceased have been identified as Tingneichin Lhouvum (40), Hoineineng Lhoujem (21), and Lamtinthang Lhoujem (36). The four critically injured are Nemneichong Lhoujem (50), Seilun Lhoujem (70), Deilhing Haokip (55), and Kamtinsei Chongloi (38), according to the Kuki tribal organisation.
What is the broader context of violence in Manipur?
Violence between the Naga and Kuki communities in Manipur has been ongoing since February this year. More than 20 people from both communities have been killed in separate firing incidents, and several houses have been burnt. The Teikhang attack came days after suspected militants ambushed a vehicle in the same district, killing four Naga civilians.
How did the Manipur government respond to the attack?
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, who is currently in Delhi, strongly condemned the attack in a post on X, conveying condolences to the bereaved families and warning that those responsible would be arrested and punished. Manipur Police and Central Armed Police Forces launched operations in and around the affected area.
