Four UKNA militants slain in encounter
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 4 : At least four militants belonging to the United Kuki National Army (UKNA) have been slain while another one sustained injuries in an exchange of fire with security forces at Khanpi Gangte village under Henglep sub-division, Churachandpur district this morning.
On getting specific information about the presence of some heavily armed militants of UKNA in and around Khanpi Gangte village who are suspected to be involved in the brutal assault leading to the death of the 50-year old village chief of T Khonomphai village on October 27 night, a combined team of Army and Assam Rifles moved to Khanpi Gangte village at around 3.30 am today, sources said.
When the combined team reached Khanpi village, they came under attack from UKNA militants at around 4 am forcing them to retaliate and the exchange of fire lasted for around two hours.
Notably, Khanpi Gangte village is located some 80 Kms West of Churachandpur headquarters and UKNA is not a signatory of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement.
As the exchange of fire between UKNA militants and the armed forces raged, villagers of Khanpi Gangte village fled to safer places.
After the exchange of fire ended, the combined team carried out a search operation at the site of the encounter and they found four dead bodies of UKNA militants with bullet injuries.
On further searching the area, one more UKNA militant who sustained injury during the gunfight was caught alive and taken into the custody of the armed forces for necessary legal procedure, said the sources.
The combined team of Army and Assam Rifles carried on the search operation till noon.
Other sources said that around 17 cadres of UKNA were staying in a house located at Khanpi village.
As the security forces surrounded the house, the militants opened fire resulting in a heavy clash.
In the ensuing gun battle, four cadres of UKNA were killed, one who sustained injury was caught alive while the rest of the cadres managed to escape from the village.
The dead bodies of the UKNA militants have been airlifted from the spot and deposited at Churachandpur district hospital for identification and post mortem.
Meanwhile, an FIR has been registered at Henglep police station for investigation and necessary legal procedure, said the sources.
On October 27 evening, chief of T Khonomphai village, Mangthang Haokip (50) s/o (L) Jangsei Haokip was abducted by UKNA militants from the village and brutally assaulted at Kholejang village and left there.
Later at around 5 pm, some local people came across the village chief lying in a pool of blood at Kholejang village.
Even as the village chief was taken to Churachandpur district hospital for treatment, he succumbed to injuries on his way to hospital.
On the other hand, the UKNA has condemned the cowardly act of the people who allegedly acted in connivance with security forces at Khanpi on November 4 where its four cadres were slain.
A press release issued by UKNA said, “We are neither a threat to the society nor are we against the India Army. We stand for a separate administration from Manipur State. We will surrender ourselves once the Separate Administration (UT) demand is fulfilled.”
IMPHAL, Nov 4 : At least four militants belonging to the United Kuki National Army (UKNA) have been slain while another one sustained injuries in an exchange of fire with security forces at Khanpi Gangte village under Henglep sub-division, Churachandpur district this morning.
On getting specific information about the presence of some heavily armed militants of UKNA in and around Khanpi Gangte village who are suspected to be involved in the brutal assault leading to the death of the 50-year old village chief of T Khonomphai village on October 27 night, a combined team of Army and Assam Rifles moved to Khanpi Gangte village at around 3.30 am today, sources said.
When the combined team reached Khanpi village, they came under attack from UKNA militants at around 4 am forcing them to retaliate and the exchange of fire lasted for around two hours.
Notably, Khanpi Gangte village is located some 80 Kms West of Churachandpur headquarters and UKNA is not a signatory of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement.
As the exchange of fire between UKNA militants and the armed forces raged, villagers of Khanpi Gangte village fled to safer places.
After the exchange of fire ended, the combined team carried out a search operation at the site of the encounter and they found four dead bodies of UKNA militants with bullet injuries.
On further searching the area, one more UKNA militant who sustained injury during the gunfight was caught alive and taken into the custody of the armed forces for necessary legal procedure, said the sources.
The combined team of Army and Assam Rifles carried on the search operation till noon.
Other sources said that around 17 cadres of UKNA were staying in a house located at Khanpi village.
As the security forces surrounded the house, the militants opened fire resulting in a heavy clash.
In the ensuing gun battle, four cadres of UKNA were killed, one who sustained injury was caught alive while the rest of the cadres managed to escape from the village.
The dead bodies of the UKNA militants have been airlifted from the spot and deposited at Churachandpur district hospital for identification and post mortem.
Meanwhile, an FIR has been registered at Henglep police station for investigation and necessary legal procedure, said the sources.
On October 27 evening, chief of T Khonomphai village, Mangthang Haokip (50) s/o (L) Jangsei Haokip was abducted by UKNA militants from the village and brutally assaulted at Kholejang village and left there.
Later at around 5 pm, some local people came across the village chief lying in a pool of blood at Kholejang village.
Even as the village chief was taken to Churachandpur district hospital for treatment, he succumbed to injuries on his way to hospital.
On the other hand, the UKNA has condemned the cowardly act of the people who allegedly acted in connivance with security forces at Khanpi on November 4 where its four cadres were slain.
A press release issued by UKNA said, “We are neither a threat to the society nor are we against the India Army. We stand for a separate administration from Manipur State. We will surrender ourselves once the Separate Administration (UT) demand is fulfilled.”