Assam Rifles nab 5 suspected UNLF G-5 members in Manipur's Ukhrul
Synopsis
Despite signing a peace deal with the Centre in 2023, UNLF factions have continued threatening cultural events, recruiting youth for Myanmar-based training camps, and potentially backing attacks on security forces. The arrest of five G-5 suspects in Ukhrul — where two Assam Rifles soldiers were killed in a July ambush — signals a sharpening counter-insurgency focus on Manipur's border corridor.
Key Takeaways
Assam Rifles and Manipur state police arrested five suspected UNLF G-5 members in Ukhrul district on 17 October 2026 .
The G-5 conglomerate comprises five insurgent groups: UNLF , KCP , KYKL , PREPAK , and PREPAK (Pro) .
UNLF , founded in 1964 , signed a peace agreement with the Centre in 2023 but dissident factions have reportedly continued extortion and border activity.
G-5 members allegedly ordered a one-year ban on Shumang Leela troupes and the Sangai Festival , triggering a recent crackdown.
In July 2026 , an Assam Rifles convoy ambush in Ukhrul killed two soldiers ; G-5 involvement has not been ruled out.
Authorities have also dismantled a recruitment module reportedly sending Manipuri youth to training camps in Myanmar .
Troops of the Assam Rifles, acting on intelligence inputs and in coordination with the Manipur state police, apprehended five suspected members of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) from Ukhrul district in Manipur on 17 October 2026, officials confirmed. The five are believed to belong to the G-5 conglomerate, an underground alliance of five valley-based insurgent outfits.
What Is the G-5 Conglomerate
The G-5 is a coalition of five Manipur-based insurgent groups: UNLF, KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, and PREPAK (Pro). The UNLF is the oldest valley-based insurgent outfit in the state, founded in 1964. In 2023, the UNLF signed a peace agreement with the Centre and the Government of Manipur, committing to renounce violence and rejoin the mainstream. Despite the accord, dissident factions have reportedly continued operating, particularly along the India-Myanmar border.
Why the Crackdown Is Significant
'Despite the peace agreement, some factions of the UNLF, with other members of the G-5 conglomerate, have been involved in issuing threats and making extortion demands. Some members continue to operate along the India-Myanmar border,' an official said. Security forces had recently moved against G-5 members after the group allegedly ordered a one-year ban on Shumang Leela drama troupes and barred participation in the Sangai Festival — a cultural provocation that drew wide condemnation. The historic Shumang Leela tradition is known for spreading social awareness on issues including drugs, HIV, and insurgency.
Ethnic Violence and Border Activity
Some UNLF cadres have reportedly been involved in the ethnic violence that has gripped Manipur over the past three years. They are also accused of providing logistics and support to other G-5 factions that have carried out direct attacks on security forces. In July 2026, an Assam Rifles convoy was ambushed in Ukhrul district, close to the Myanmar border, leaving two soldiers killed. No group has formally claimed responsibility for that attack, though officials have not ruled out G-5 involvement.
Seized Material and Recruitment Networks
'We have seized some material from them, which is being examined. Many G-5 members are also involved in recruitment of youths from the state and sending them across to camps in Myanmar for training. We have busted one such module recently,' the official added. The seizures are being analysed for links to wider networks, and the arrests mark the latest in a series of operations targeting G-5 infrastructure since the conglomerate defied the spirit of the 2023 peace process.
Security agencies are expected to intensify operations along the India-Myanmar border corridor as the situation in Manipur remains closely monitored.
Point of View
Yet the G-5 conglomerate has since banned cultural festivals, sustained extortion networks, and allegedly supported lethal attacks — suggesting that a section of the outfit never genuinely demobilised. The July ambush that killed two Assam Rifles soldiers remains unclaimed, and that silence is itself a red flag. Until the Centre builds a verifiable disarmament and reintegration framework — with consequences for non-compliance — peace agreements in Manipur risk becoming procedural cover rather than durable settlements.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the five suspects arrested in Manipur's Ukhrul district?
The five are suspected members of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) believed to belong to the G-5 conglomerate, an underground alliance of five Manipur-based insurgent groups. They were apprehended on 17 October 2026 in an intelligence-based joint operation by the Assam Rifles and Manipur state police.
What is the G-5 conglomerate in Manipur?
The G-5 is an underground alliance of five valley-based insurgent groups operating in Manipur: UNLF, KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, and PREPAK (Pro). Despite the UNLF signing a peace deal with the Centre in 2023, factions of the conglomerate have reportedly continued extortion, cultural intimidation, and cross-border activity with Myanmar.
Why did security forces recently target G-5 members?
Security forces intensified operations after G-5 members allegedly ordered a one-year ban on Shumang Leela drama troupes and barred participation in the Sangai Festival. Authorities also linked some G-5 cadres to the July 2026 Assam Rifles convoy ambush in Ukhrul that killed two soldiers.
What is the UNLF's history and its relation to the 2023 peace deal?
The UNLF, founded in 1964, is the oldest valley-based insurgent group in Manipur. In 2023, it signed a peace agreement with the Centre and the Government of Manipur, committing to renounce violence. However, officials say dissident factions have continued operating, particularly along the India-Myanmar border, undermining the accord.
What material was seized and what do authorities suspect about recruitment?
Officials said some material was seized from the five arrested suspects and is being examined. Authorities also allege that G-5 members have been recruiting youth from Manipur and sending them across the border to training camps in Myanmar, with one such recruitment module reportedly busted recently.
