4 Naga militants killed in intra-party fight at Hongbei village, Kamjong dist

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 29 : At least four cadres of Naga Army, Eastern Flank, NSCN(IM) have been killed in an alleged ambush by cadres of the same party last night at Hongbei village, Kamjong district under Kasom Khullen police station.
Sources said that a gunfight broke out between cadres of a unit of NSCN (IM)’s Naga Army and  its Eastern Flank unit at around 9 pm on March 28, 2026 which lasted for a few minutes.
Four cadres of Eastern Flank, Naga Army were killed in the clash, said the sources.
The deceased militants have been identified as Captain Sochipem of Marao village, Sergeant Major Zairay Vasah of Halang village, Sergeant Bahnle Ahlahpya of Eastern Nagaland and Sergeant Thansomi Washi of Mapao village.
The dead bodies of the slain militants were later brought to Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) office today at around noon.
On getting information about the incident, a team of Kasom Khullen police station rushed to the spot and made an assessment of the area in addition to registering a case regarding the incident, said the sources.
Meanwhile, a press release issued by Lieut Gen A Raman (MM, MC) of Naga Army, Eastern Flank (NSCN-IM) has asserted that the four cadres were killed in an ambush carried out by NSCN (IM)’s 2nd Lieut Mathotmi of Shihai Khunou.
According to the press release, a group of Naga Army, Eastern Flank cadres was intercepted by a group led by 2nd Lieut Mathotmi of Shihai Khunou village.
While some members of the intercepting group reportedly suggested letting the cadres pass, the statement alleged that 2nd Lieut. Mathotmi ordered his men to fire, stating, "It’s them we are ordered to shoot."
Four cadres namely; Major (posthumous) Sochipem Phungshok, Sergeant Major (posthumous) Zairay Vasah, Sergeant (posthumous) Ba-hnle Ahlahpya, and Ser- geant (posthumous) Thansomi Washi were killed on the spot, while two others managed to escape the gunfire.
In line with a statement issued by MIP, NSCN(IM) on February 11, 2026 and the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) on February 25, 2026, the Naga Army cadres were on duty.
“Our stand is to fight united with the Ghqs/Hebron force and other Naga entities against the policy of our adversaries by using the Kukis as a proxy”, it said.
Lt Gen A Raman said that their cadres went to Kasom Khullen via Hongbei village on duty to stop and check timber and other business activities in the Indo-Myanmar border.
On the way to Kasom Khullen, they met Lieut Starling of Lairam village and two others at Hongbei village junction.
“They stayed with them (Lieut Starling and his party) for a while and talked about uniting our force to fight against our adversaries and also exchanged pleasantries”, it said.
On the way back, the Naga Army, Eastern Flank cadres were stopped by 2nd Lt Mathotmi and 2nd Lt Starling and their group at Hongbei village junction.
On the order of 2nd Lt Mathotmi, his group opened fire indiscriminately.
Four Naga Army cadres were killed in the firing but two others managed to escape, said the press release.      
The Eastern Flank has dismissed the idea that this was an isolated decision by a junior officer.
The press release asserted that an order to fire upon their own cadres must have originated from the "highest level," specifically pointing toward the "Collective Leadership or the Longvibu."
Mourning the demise of the four cadres, the Naga Army, Eastern Flank has vowed that the deaths of these four men will serve as an inspiration for their cause, and pave way for a better future for ‘our Nation’ that is on the verge of annihilation.