While the violent conflict due to the Kuki-Zomi militants’ attacks against the Meiteis and the reprisals since May 3, 2023 is witnessing fewer killings in the last few weeks, the Kuki militants under the banner of Kuki National Army, Burma (KNA-B) have been launching relentless attacks on Manipur-based insurgent groups and Naga insurgents inside Myanmar along the Indo-Myanmar border.
According to reports, the heavy gunfight between Manipur insurgents and Kuki militants inside Myanmar continued for the fifth day on January 31, 2025. The firing between Manipur insurgents and Kuki militants inside Myanmar has been continuing since January 27.
Reports said that so far more than 30 Kuki militants and three cadres of Manipur insurgent groups have been killed in the fierce gunfight.
According to reports, one cadre of Manipur based outfit and some Kuki militants are believed to have been killed in the heavy exchange of fire in between Border Pillars 85 and 86 on January 31. It is reported that Kuki militants and Manipur based outfits exchanged fire at five locations at the border areas on the night of January 30. The firing resumed at around 3.30AM of January 31 and continued till around 9AM.
It is also reported that the corpses of nine Kuki militants, including residents of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi who were killed a couple of days back at the border areas are still lying in between Border Pillar 85 and 86 despite multiple attempts by KNA-B cadres to retrieve them.
The Kuki militants have been using sophisticated drones in their attacks as many drone equipments, bombs and ammunition are well stored across the border on Myanmar side, reports added.
In the heavy gunfight between the Manipur insurgents comprising of Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), PREPAK (Pro), Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) and Koireng-led United National Liberation Front (UNLF-K); and KNA-B, a cadre of RPF and 2nd Lieutenant of PLA Salam Henthoiba whose real name is Salam Nganba Meitei was killed while resisting an attack by the Indian Army’s special forces on a PLA camp near Border Pillar No. 87 in Yaingoupk Wangli village, Kamjong district, near the Indo-Myanmar border on January 27.
Moreover, reports on January 30 said that two cadres of Manipur insurgent groups were killed in another gunfight with Kuki militants along Indo-Myanmar border near Kamjong district of Manipur. The identities of the deceased, however, could not be confirmed on the day.
There was a heavy gunfight between Kuki militants Manipur insurgents the whole night of January 29 near Border Pillar 87 and the same continued till January 30 evening with regular intervals. The Manipur insurgents pushed the Kuki militants deep inside Myanmar territory while two cadres of the Manipur insurgent groups were killed one at around noon and another in the evening on January 30, reports added.
One of the two cadres reportedly killed in an intense gun battle between the Kuki militants under the banner of KNA-B and Manipur insurgent groups near Waksu, a few kilometres from Kondong Road along the Indo-Myanmar border has been reportedly identified as Captain Chiromcha of Koireng-led UNLF’s Manipur People’s Army.
The other cadre killed in the heavy gunfight has been identified as Moirangthem Sushil aka Athouba of KYKL.
The Kuki militants have been launching relentless attacks on Manipur insurgent groups and Naga insurgents inside Myanmar near Indo-Myanmar border. In response to the relentless attacks, the insurgent groups from the Northeast have reportedly joined forces to retaliate.
Sources claim that at least 30 KNA-B cadres have been killed in the first four days of their attacks since January 27, with unofficial estimates suggesting the death toll has risen to 31. Many of the recovered bodies reportedly had Aadhaar cards listing addresses from Kangpokpi and Churachandpur. Additionally, as many as 25 sophisticated weapons were reportedly recovered by PLA cadres from the battle zones, reports added.
Moreover, according to social media circulations, one youth who was supposedly to be a village volunteer from Churachandpur is said to have been killed in the gunfight in Myanmar.
It may be mentioned that earlier reports said a heavy exchange of gunfire erupted near border pillar no. 87, along the Indo-Myanmar border, on January 27, resulting in the death of at least 10 militants and leaving several others injured.
Again further reports on January 29 added that nine more Kuki militants were killed on the day as the gunfight between the Kuki militants and Manipur insurgents continued for the third day near Border Pillar no 87 at Yangoupok village in Kamjong. The gun battle took place near the Indo-Myanmar border. Sources said that more than 20 Kuki militants have been killed as on January 29 since the beginning of the fierce gunfight between the outfits on January 27.
It is reported that Kuki militants launched an attack on the Manipur insurgents inside Myanmar using weaponised drones and other sophisticated weapons near the Indo-Myanmar border areas. A heavy exchange of gunfire ensued after the cadres of Manipur rebel groups retaliated, killing nine Kuki militants at the spot. Eight arms and rounds of ammunition used by the Kuki militants have been seized by the cadres of opposing rebel groups. Movement of a large number of Kuki militants has been witnessed in between Border Pillars 85 and 87, reports added.
Moreover, it is worthy to mention in recent development in the Manipur-Myanmar border region that suspected members of the Kuki National Army -Burma (KNA-B) have allegedly killed a member of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, NSCN (IM), according to a report of Ukhrul Times.
According to reliable sources, the incident reportedly occurred when suspected KNA-B cadres kidnapped the alleged victim, Jamthang Vaiphei (60) from Salampatong village, on January 25, 2025. He was visiting his brother, Lammang Vaiphei, in Galngam Veng, Moreh, at the time, the report said.
The report quoting sources said the KNA-B militants reportedly demanded a ransom of Rs 5 lakhs from his family for his release. However, as the family was struggling to raise the amount, they were met with the heartbreaking news of his death.
The news of the killing was further corroborated by an obituary notice issued by GPRN Cabinet Secretary, Vaiphei Tribe Council (VTC). The obituary notice stated that Jamthang Vaiphei, Assistant Political Organizer (APO) of Salampatong Village under Vaiphei region, GPRN was killed by KNA-B in the morning of January 29, 2025, while he was on a visit to his brother’s residence at Moreh, Manipur, the report added.
It is worth noting that the NSCN/GPRN’s Vaiphei Tribe Council and the Kuki Tribal Union (KTU) are strongly opposed by Kuki civil bodies and Kuki armed groups.
Notably, in 2024, Captain R.S. Winson of Eastern Flank, Naga Army, Major Huseya Assumi were killed in action while fighting KNA-B injuring two others.
The recent eruption of clashes between the Kuki militants and Manipur insurgents in Sagaing region of Kabaw Valley areas in Myanmar indicates that the Kuki militants continue their attacks against Meiteis by turning on Manipur insurgents in Myanmar while their violent attacks in Manipur recede in the past few weeks after the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) had a talk with India’s Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on January 17, 2025.
Senior Editor: Imphal Review of Arts and Politics
