10 Suspected Kuki Insurgents Killed in Encounter with CRPF in Manipur's Jiribam

At least 10 suspected Kuki insurgents were killed in a gunfight with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Manipur's Jiribam district on Tuesday. The clash occurred after militants launched a large-scale attack on a police station in the region, located on the Assam-Manipur border. A CRPF soldier was injured in the attack and was evacuated to Silchar Medical College in Assam for treatment.

According to sources, the suspected militants launched the assault from two sides, and the police station in Borobekra, Jiribam, which has been targeted multiple times in recent months, was the primary site of the attack. The militants reportedly also aimed at a nearby relief camp for internally displaced people. After the attack, the insurgents spread towards the Jakurador Karong settlement, about 1 km from the police station, where they set houses on fire while continuing to engage in gunfire with the security forces.

The CRPF deployed reinforcements to the area, and weapons recovered from the insurgents after the gunfight included rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and AK-series assault rifles. Civil society groups linked to the Kuki community have called for a shutdown in response to the deaths, which they have described as involving "village volunteers."

Tensions in Jiribam have escalated following several incidents of violence in the region, including the recent deaths of two women—one from the Hmar tribe, killed by suspected Meitei insurgents, and another from the Meitei community, killed by suspected Kuki insurgents. A series of attacks during the paddy harvest season has left farmers fearful, with reports of reluctance to return to fields due to the ongoing unrest.