Four Tangkhul Naga civilians, including a father and son, were reportedly killed in an armed attack at Pilong village in Manipur’s Kamjong district on Thursday.
Imphal, Sept. 24: Four Tangkhul Naga civilians, including a father and his son, were reportedly killed in an armed attack at Pilong, a remote border village in Manipur’s Kamjong district, on Thursday, according to local sources.
The deceased were identified as Vareishim Jajo and his son Phami Jajo, both from Kangpat Khullen, along with Betterson Jajo of Kangpat Khunou and Ningthem Kashak of Zingsui village, according to reports from the area.
The incident reportedly took place in the afternoon at Pilong, located near Indo-Myanmar border pillars 91 to 93 in the Kangpat area. Sources cited by local media said five Tangkhul Naga civilians were present when armed men allegedly surrounded them. One of them, identified as Akhan Kaping of Ukhrul, reportedly escaped.
Reports differed on the exact timing of the attack. EastMojo, citing sources, placed the incident at around 1:30 pm, while Ukhrul Times reported that gunshots were heard at about 4:30 pm.
Local sources have alleged the involvement of suspected cadres of the Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B). However, the identity of the attackers had not been independently established, and there was no official confirmation from the police or security agencies at the time of reporting.
The remote location of Pilong has complicated the recovery of the bodies. Ukhrul Times reported that the bodies had not been recovered as of the time of its report, while EastMojo said a team from Kamjong Police had moved towards the site to recover the bodies and begin an investigation.
The latest incident comes amid continuing security concerns along the Manipur-Myanmar border in Kamjong district. Border villages in the area have previously reported attacks, displacement and threats linked to armed groups operating around the international boundary.
In May, suspected Myanmar-based militants allegedly linked to the KNA-B were reported to have carried out pre-dawn attacks on Tangkhul Naga villages including Namlee, Wanglee and Choro. Several houses were reportedly burnt and residents fled towards nearby forest areas following those attacks.
The Pilong killings also come amid reports of renewed violence in other hill areas of Manipur, with separate reports of houses belonging to Naga residents being burnt in parts of Kangpokpi district.
The circumstances surrounding Thursday’s attack, including the identity of those responsible and the motive, remain subject to investigation. Official statements from the district administration, police or security agencies are awaited.
