Militants kill four Naga civilians in Manipur

Unidentified gunmen killed four Naga civilians, including a mother and her son, on National Highway 202 in Manipur’s Ukhrul district on Friday (November 13, 2026).

The attackers ambushed the vehicles — a hatchback and a pickup truck — in New Haven around 1 p.m. The site is located in the Litan area, the epicenter of the conflict between the Kuki and Naga communities since February 2026.

The deceased were identified as Kapangkhui RS, her son Haoleila RS, Khanmila Keising and August Ngalung. The first two victims were from Shangshak village and the last two were from Tashar village; both villages are in Ukhrul district.

Manipur Police said miscreants opened fire on two vehicles and all four victims died on the spot.

Security enhanced

“Additional security forces comprising Manipur Police, BSF (Border Security Force), Army and Assam Rifles have been rushed to the area to beef up security and prevent further untoward incidents. Search operations have been launched in and around the incident area to trace and nab those involved,” the statement said.

Officials said the site of the attack is about 35 km from Ukhrul town and 6 km from Litan. The blockade imposed by the Kuki organization halted vehicular movement on the highway until August.

Government provides security escort for vehicles traveling between Imphal and Ukhrul from Litan in both directions.

Friday’s ambush came a day after a Kuki woman was killed and two Kuki men were injured in a similar shooting in the adjacent Kangpokpi district. Ukhrul has a Naga majority while Kangpokpi has a Kuki majority.

Kuki groups deny involvement

Naga organizations said armed Kuki groups may be behind the attack. However, the Kuki groups categorically denied any involvement.

Several Kuki civil society organizations condemned the killing of Naga civilians and demanded an impartial probe into the incident.

More than 65 people have died since an alleged drunken brawl that sparked the Kuki-Naga conflict in Manipur in February.

Published – 13 Nov 2026 15:25 IST