Published by Aloto Naga | July 1, 2025
Churachandpur, Manipur — July 1, 202: In a major escalation of violence between Kuki militant factions, a senior commander of the Kuki National Army (KNA), Thahpi Haokip, was shot dead on Monday afternoon in an armed ambush in Manipur’s Churachandpur district. The attack, carried out by members of the rival United Kuki National Army (UKNA), also claimed the lives of two KNA cadres and a civilian woman.
The incident occurred near Mongjang village, approximately 5 kilometers from Churachandpur town. Haokip, whose official name was Thenkhothang Haokip, 48, served as the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the KNA. He was also the son-in-law of P.S. Haokip, President of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), the political front of KNA.
Victims Identified
According to police and local sources, the deceased have been identified as:
- Thahpi Haokip (Thenkhothang Haokip), 48, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of KNA
- Seikhogin, 34, KNA cadre
- Lengouhao, 35, KNA cadre and also a relative of PS Haokip
- Phalhing, 72, a civilian woman from Koite village, reportedly caught in the crossfire
The group was traveling in a white SUV when the ambush occurred. Preliminary reports indicate that the assailants fired at close range using automatic weapons. More than a dozen spent cartridges were recovered from the site.
UKNA Claims Responsibility
Shortly after the attack, the UKNA released a statement on social media claiming responsibility for the killings. The group alleged that Thahpi had orchestrated the murder of several UKNA members in previous years, including their former Public Relations Officer and a senior operative known as Tamin Hunter.
“The execution was a long-overdue retribution for the loss of our men and decades of betrayal,” the UKNA stated.
Security and Political Ramifications
The KNA operates under a Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement signed with the Indian government in 2008. The pact, renewed periodically, mandates that KNA cadres remain in designated camps and abstain from armed activities. UKNA, however, remains outside the SoO framework and has continued to engage in armed operations independently.
This incident raises serious questions about the fragility of the peace process in Manipur and exposes the widening rift between factions within the broader Kuki insurgent network. Security forces have since increased patrolling in the region, and an investigation is underway.
A senior police official in Churachandpur, speaking on condition of anonymity, said:
“This was a targeted killing with clear planning. The attackers knew their movements. We are working with central agencies to trace those involved.”
A Civilian Casualty Amid Factional Violence
Among the dead was Phalhing, an elderly woman who, according to witnesses, was passing nearby when she was hit by stray bullets. Her death has sparked local outrage, with civil society groups condemning the continuing violence and calling for immediate intervention by both state and central authorities.
A Tense Silence Among Kuki Leadership
The KNO and KNA leadership, including PS Haokip, have yet to issue a formal statement. However, sources close to the organisation described the assassination as “a grave provocation” and warned that retaliation could follow unless authorities act swiftly.
Analysts suggest the killing of a high-ranking commander like Thahpi could destabilize inter-factional relations further, possibly derailing ongoing political negotiations related to Kuki tribal autonomy in the region.
Background on Recent Conflicts
This is not the first time UKNA has clashed with KNA. In March 2024, the Assam Rifles dismantled a suspected UKNA training camp in Henglep sub-division, raising tensions between the groups. Over the past year, there have been multiple reports of skirmishes and factional friction despite peace overtures by central agencies.
Nagaland News Today will continue monitoring this developing story and provide updates as more official details emerge. All contents of this report are original and independently compiled.
