CHURACHANDPUR, June 30: At least four people, including a 60-year-old woman, were killed in a brutal ambush in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on Monday afternoon. The United Kuki National Army (UKNA) has claimed responsibility for the attack, which targeted a senior commander of the Kuki National Army (KNA).
According to police officials, the incident occurred around 2 PM near Monljang village, approximately 7 km from Churachandpur town. The victims were travelling in a vehicle when they were ambushed by unidentified gunmen. Preliminary reports suggest the victims were shot at point-blank range, and over a dozen empty cartridges were recovered from the scene.
Among those killed was Thahpi Haokip, also known as Thenkhothang or Thahpi, a commander of the KNA. Two of his associates, who were travelling with him, were also fatally shot. A 60-year-old woman, believed to be a local resident, was also killed during the attack, reportedly caught in the crossfire.
Disturbing videos that surfaced on social media following the attack showed the lifeless bodies of the three men inside the vehicle, while the woman lay on the road nearby, adding to the shock and outrage surrounding the incident.
In a press release issued shortly after the ambush, the UKNA openly claimed responsibility, stating that Thahpi and his companions were “punished” by their cadres. The statement went further, accusing Thahpi of having previously killed UKNA’s Public Relations Officer Satkhohao, a youth named Tamin Hunter, and approximately 30 others.
