The bodies of four Naga civilians killed in an ambush in Manipur have been recovered

Security forces, including an armored vehicle and a police van, were deployed in the Taphou area following reports of violence in Senapati. File | Photo credit: ANI

The bodies of four Naga civilians killed in an ambush in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district were recovered on Friday (August 28, 2026) morning, a day after the attack, officials said.

Four were killed and another person injured when armed assailants attacked a vehicle in an isolated area between Makui Ashang and Thanamba Naga villages at around 8.30am on Thursday (August 27, 2026), they said.

One of the deceased was the principal of a private school.

Security forces tried to retrieve the bodies on Thursday (August 27, 2026) evening but could not reach the site due to an alleged blockade and disturbance in a village along the route, officials said.

A security team comprising state police personnel reached the scene of the attack on Friday (August 28, 2026) morning and collected the bodies, which were taken to the Senapati district headquarters, they said.

On Thursday (August 26, 2026) night, a large number of people gathered at Senapati district headquarters and staged a protest demanding that the bodies be brought to Naga district with the majority.

Meanwhile, volunteers from the village fired several shots into the air as a mark of respect as the bodies reached Thonglang Atongba in Kangpokpi district, officials said.

Following the killings, Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh chaired a high-level security meeting and ordered security forces to identify, arrest and take action against those involved in the attack.

The United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body of the Naga community in the state, accused two militant outfits – the Kuki National Front (P) and the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) – of involvement in the ambush.

The deceased were identified as Tadsongbou Ringkangmai, the founder and principal of the private school, M Wijunamai, Anil Wijunamai and Wisobou Charenamai, the chairman of the Chawangkining village board. The injured person was identified as Gaikamang Ringkangmai.

All the five victims belong to the Liangmai Naga community.

Published – 28 Aug 2026 10:54 IST