Manipur: Encounter between security forces and KIA rebels, civilian injured

A fierce gunbattle erupted between security forces and rebels of the proscribed Kuki Independent Army this afternoon at Suangphuh village under Henglep subdivision in Manipur’s Churachandpur district.

As per inputs, the encounter between a joint team of the Assam Rifles and the Manipur Police with the KIA rebels broke out at around 2:30 PM leaving one civilian injured. The injured has been identified as Lhunpao who was injured after a stray bullet hit his left knee. One US Carbine and three Smooth-Bore Breech Loading (SBBL) was recovered. The US Carbine reportedly belongs to the KNF -Z, which was snatched away on April 8.

It may be mentioned, that the security forces have intensified the crackdown after KIA cadres raided a camp sheltering rebels of UTLA, KNF-Z and USRA (under Suspension of Operations) on April 8.

Inputs had suggested that the raid at Horeb Camp at Chongkhozou under Henglep sub-division was carried out by a group of around 15 rebels led by Self-styled Commander-inChief Thangkhongam Haokip alias Davidson.

Not only this, the KIA rebels had decamped with huge cache of arms and ammunition from the armoury of the 3 SoO groups.

It may be mentioned that the Self-styled KIA chief Thangkhongam Haokip alias Davidson @ Pareng Kom carries a bounty of Rs 50000 and is wanted in at least 9 cases registered with the Churachandpur police for his involvement in frequent kidnapping for ransom, extortion as well as bombing cases.