Three Kuki church leaders killed in Kangpokpi ambush in Manipur
Synopsis
Three Baptist Church leaders from the Kuki community were shot dead in a targeted ambush in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on 13 May — the state's first major militant attack of 2025. The victims were returning from a religious convention when armed men opened fire on their vehicles, with the Kuki Students' Organisation alleging a Naga armed group was responsible.
Key Takeaways
Three Kuki Baptist Church leaders — Vumthang , Pastor Paogoulen , and Pastor Kaigoulun — were killed in an ambush in Kangpokpi on 13 May 2025 .
The victims were returning from the UBC Convention at Lamka (Churachandpur) when armed men opened fire on two vehicles along Tiger Road .
The Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) alleged a Naga armed group carried out the attack and claimed four deaths; police confirmed three .
Security forces launched a combing operation; five militants from four banned outfits were arrested separately in Imphal West and Imphal East .
Assam Rifles and Manipur Police Commandos recovered a large arms cache including INSAS , AK-56 , M-4 , and sniper rifles from hideouts on 10–11 May .
The attack is described as the first major militant strike in Manipur in 2025 .
Three Kuki community members, all identified as Baptist Church leaders, were killed and several others injured after unidentified armed men ambushed two vehicles along Tiger Road in Kangpokpi district, Manipur, on Wednesday, 13 May, police said. The attack marks what officials describe as the first major militant strike in Manipur this year.
What Happened on Tiger Road
According to a police official in Imphal, unidentified armed cadres opened fire on the two vehicles, killing three persons on the spot and injuring several others. The deceased have been identified as Vumthang, Pastor Paogoulen, and Pastor Kaigoulun. The victims were reportedly returning to Kangpokpi after attending the United Baptist Convention (UBC) at Lamka (Churachandpur) when the ambush took place.
KSO Alleges Naga Armed Group Responsible
The Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) said all the victims were Baptist Church leaders belonging to the Kuki community. In a social media post, the KSO alleged that a Naga armed group carried out the ambush along the Kangpokpi–Churachandpur (Lamka) road. The KSO's account differed slightly from police figures, claiming four church leaders were killed and several others critically injured. The organisation demanded an immediate and impartial investigation into the incident. Police have not yet confirmed the identity of the perpetrators.
Security Response and Combing Operations
Senior police and security officials, along with additional security forces, rushed to the site shortly after the incident and launched a massive combing operation to apprehend the perpetrators, the police official said. Separately, security forces arrested five militants belonging to different insurgent outfits during the past 24 hours. Those arrested were members of the banned National Revolutionary Front of Manipur (NRFM), Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), and Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL). They were apprehended from Imphal West and Imphal East districts.
Arms Cache Recovered in Joint Operations
Assam Rifles, in joint operations with Manipur Police Commandos, busted insurgent hideouts in Imphal West and Kakching districts on 10 and 11 May. A defence spokesman said a massive cache of arms, explosives, and military stores was recovered, including INSAS rifles, AK-56 rifles, M-4 rifles, sniper rifles, pistols, bombs, detonators, and ammunition. One active cadre of the banned KCP (Taibanganba) outfit was also apprehended during these operations.
Point of View
Information control is itself contested. With ethnic tensions unresolved since May 2023 and the Centre yet to broker a durable political settlement, incidents like this have the potential to reset whatever fragile calm has been achieved.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the victims of the Kangpokpi ambush on 13 May 2025?
The three victims were Vumthang, Pastor Paogoulen, and Pastor Kaigoulun — all identified as Baptist Church leaders from the Kuki community. They were returning from the United Baptist Convention at Lamka (Churachandpur) when their vehicles were ambushed along Tiger Road in Kangpokpi district.
Who is suspected of carrying out the Manipur church leaders ambush?
The Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) alleged in a social media post that a Naga armed group was responsible for the ambush. Police have not yet officially named any group as the perpetrator and a combing operation is underway.
Is this the first major militant attack in Manipur in 2025?
Yes, according to police officials, the Kangpokpi ambush on 13 May 2025 is described as the first major militant attack in Manipur this year. It comes against the backdrop of ongoing ethnic conflict in the state that has persisted since May 2023.
What action have security forces taken after the attack?
Senior police and security officials launched a massive combing operation in the Kangpokpi area immediately after the attack. Separately, five militants from four banned outfits — NRFM, KCP, PREPAK, and KYKL — were arrested from Imphal West and Imphal East within 24 hours.
What arms were recovered by Assam Rifles in recent Manipur operations?
Assam Rifles, in joint operations with Manipur Police Commandos on 10 and 11 May, recovered INSAS rifles, AK-56 rifles, M-4 rifles, sniper rifles, pistols, bombs, detonators, and ammunition from hideouts in Imphal West and Kakching districts.
