Security forces gun down 10 rebels in Manipur encounter

Guwahati: Security forces shot dead 10 militants during an encounter in Manipur's Chandel district bordering Myanmar.

The Eastern Command of the Indian Army confirmed the deaths through a post on ‘X' on Wednesday night.

The confrontation took place near border pillars where the recent fencing work had commenced along the India-Myanmar frontier. Due to the location's remoteness, police personnel dispatched to the site had not returned to Molcham police station by Thursday evening, with detailed information expected by Friday.

While the identities of the deceased remain undisclosed, sources said they might belong to Myanmar-based militant groups traversing through dense forest areas on Indian territory. "Security forces tracked their movement based on intelligence inputs. It remained unclear whether these militants had camps in the area," a source said.

He added, "The encounter took place in a small hilly terrain. Despite rain and adverse weather, the operation continued until Thursday."

The encounter location, situated approximately 130 kilometres from Imphal, lacks mobile connectivity and has sparse population. The area, predominantly inhabited by Kuki tribals across both sides of the border, lies within the Naga-majority Chandel district. Manipur shares a 398-kilometre porous border with Myanmar.

"Acting on specific intelligence on the movement of armed cadres near New Samtal village, Khengjoy Tehsil, Chandel District near the Indo-Myanmar border, an Assam Rifles unit under Spear Corps launched an operation on May 14, 2025," the Eastern Command of the Army said on X, Wednesday night. The Army stated that during the operation, troops came under fire from suspected cadres and retaliated in a ‘calibrated' and ‘measured' manner.

"In the ensuing firefight, 10 cadres were neutralised, and a sizeable quantity of arms and ammunition was recovered," read the post.

Security forces have apprehended seven militants of various banned organisations within 24 hours across Thoubal, Kakching, Bishnupur, and Churachandpur districts. These individuals were primarily involved in extortion and abduction activities targeting traders, commercial establishments and civilians.

The ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur has claimed nearly 260 lives and displaced over 60,000 people in two years, while Myanmar is experiencing civil unrest following the 2021 military coup.