Three Killed, Seven Houses Torched in Fresh Manipur Village Attack

Three people , including a woman , were killed and several houses were set ablaze after armed assailants attacked a village in Manipur's Kangpokpi district in the early hours of Friday, officials said.

The attack took place around 4 a.m. at Loibol Khullen village in the Saitu-Gamphazol subdivision . According to officials, armed groups opened fire, triggering a violent exchange that lasted several minutes and forced residents to flee their homes and seek refuge in nearby forested areas.

The deceased were identified as Letkhongam Haokip, Tinmary Haokip, and Jangminlal Haokip . Authorities said the victims died during the exchange of gunfire between rival groups.

The violence also resulted in significant property damage, with at least seven houses gutted by fire during the attack. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, while security forces have intensified patrols in the area to prevent further escalation.

The incident is the latest in a series of violent episodes that have continued to affect parts of Manipur, where ethnic tensions and armed confrontations have periodically disrupted normal life. Villages located near sensitive areas have remained particularly vulnerable to attacks, despite the deployment of additional security personnel.

Condemning the incident, Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) , the apex body representing Kuki tribes in the state, described the assault as a "barbaric act of violence against unarmed civilians" and called for an immediate and impartial investigation.

In a statement, the organisation said the deliberate killing of innocent people and the destruction of homes constituted a serious violation of human rights and human dignity. KIM urged authorities to identify and apprehend those responsible and ensure justice for the victims.

Security agencies have launched an investigation into the attack, while efforts are underway to restore normalcy in the affected village.