World · South & Central Asia · 10 hrs ago
Three civilians killed in attack in Manipur as security operation begins
Unidentified gunmen killed three Meitei villagers collecting firewood near the border of Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts in Manipur, India.
The attack also left people injured; reports differ on the number, with one saying three and another four.
Security forces launched a search operation in the nearby hills, using sniffer dogs, drones and helicopters, while setting up mobile checkposts.
Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh condemned the killings and ordered stronger security in vulnerable areas; he also visited injured people in hospital.
The attack prompted protests in Imphal, where demonstrators brought two bodies to the chief minister's residence before they were removed.
Manipur has seen sporadic fighting between the mostly Hindu Meitei community and the predominantly Christian Kuki community since May 2023, though the attackers' identities have not been confirmed and Kuki groups deny accusations against them.
Police and security forces are trying to find those responsible, while the chief minister has called for restraint.
Three civilians were killed when unidentified gunmen opened fire on villagers collecting firewood in Manipur on Monday.
The attack took place near Sunurok hills, in an area between Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts.
Reports differed on the number of injured: the Times of India reported three, while the Straits Times reported four.
Security forces launched a search operation, using sniffer dogs, drones and helicopters, and established mobile checkposts.
Protests followed in Imphal, where demonstrators placed two bodies outside the chief minister’s residence.
- Who
- Three civilians from the Meitei community were killed. Villagers collecting firewood were among those fired on.
- What
- Unidentified gunmen opened fire on villagers; three people were reported killed. Sources differed on whether three or four others were injured.
- When
- Monday, October 19, 2026; police said the shooting happened at about 9.40 am.
- Where
- Near Sunurok hills, in the area between Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts, Manipur, India.
- Why
- The reason for the attack is not stated. Meitei groups blamed Kuki militants, who denied responsibility, according to the Straits Times.
Meitei groups
Kuki groups
Responsibility for the attack
Meitei groups
Meitei groups blamed militants from the Kuki community for carrying out the attack.
Kuki groups
Kuki groups denied responsibility for the attack.
Violence in Thoubal district left one person dead and several others injured, according to the Times of India.
Unidentified gunmen opened fire on villagers collecting and transporting firewood near Sunurok hills.
Security forces launched a combing operation in the hills, deploying sniffer dogs and drones; helicopters were used for surveillance.
Protests took place in Imphal, including outside the chief minister’s residence, where demonstrators placed two bodies.
- Deaths
- 3 civilians
- Injuries
- 3 reported by Times of India; 4 reported by Straits Times
- Shooting time
- About 9.40 am on Monday
- Location
- Near Sunurok hills, between Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts
- Security operation
- Police, CRPF, CoBRA, Assam Rifles and BSF personnel took part
- Missing people
- 3 reported by Times of India
2 sources
What people are saying
Three individuals died in the incident while three more sustained injuries and they are now under medical care,
Three individuals succumbed to bullet injuries. Others sustained injuries and are undergoing further medical treatment,
The legislators unanimously condemned the killings of three civilians in the strongest terms. They demanded that police and security forces apprehend the perpetrators of the crime immediately,