Imphal: Joint security forces neutralized two armed cadres of the proscribed United Kuki National Army (UKNA) and injured two others during an intelligence-led operation in Manipur’s Parbung village, Churachandpur district, near the tri-border junction of Myanmar, Assam and Mizoram.
The operation, conducted on September 2, 2026, was the first counter-insurgency operation in the district this year in which UKNA cadres were neutralized. It followed a similar operation on November 4, 2025, when four UKNA cadres were neutralized at Khanpi village under Henglep Sub-Division.
According to official sources, the operation was launched to counter activities by the UKNA, including intimidation and extortion of local civilians, educational institutions and financial entities.
Unlike several other Kuki-Zomi insurgent groups, the UKNA is not a signatory to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) ceasefire agreement with the Central and state governments.
The banned outfit has been involved in armed violence and public disruption, according to official sources.
Acting on intelligence inputs, a joint team of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles advanced on the temporary insurgent hideout. “Maintaining complete surprise, the joint team closed in on the UKNA camp and challenged the insurgents, who immediately retaliated with high-intensity automatic gunfire,” a source stated.
In the ensuing firefight, the combined forces retaliated, eliminating two militants and forcing the remaining cadres to retreat with two injured cadres.
A subsequent search of the site yielded three automatic rifles, one 40mm Lathode launcher and war-like stores.
The security forces destroyed the temporary camp after the operation. Combing operations in the area remain underway.