Imphal: A survivor of the Pilong village killings in Manipur’s Kamjong district near the Myanmar border has accused the Myanmar-based Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B) of carrying out the cross-border attack that left four Tangkhul Naga civilians dead on Thursday.
The lone survivor, identified as Kaping from Hunphun village, described the incident during a condolence service at the Kamjong Headquarters on September 25, stating that KNA-B cadres attacked their settlement along the Indo-Myanmar border.
According to Kaping, five civilians had been stationed at the border settlement to guard the village after women, children and other residents evacuated due to threats from militants.
He explained that the group had separated, with four men resting at a spot with mobile network coverage while he moved to a nearby house. Kaping said he heard sudden gunfire from close range during the afternoon, prompting him to flee into the adjacent jungle for safety.
He further said that the armed group remained in the village for nearly an hour following the killings, apparently waiting for other residents to arrive.
Kaping emerged from hiding only after the attackers retreated and found the bodies of his four companions before moving towards the hills, where Tangkhul civil society representatives rescued him.
He subsequently informed nearby villagers and law enforcement about the incident, adding that acquaintances across the Myanmar border later confirmed the involvement of the KNA-B.