𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗞𝘂𝗸𝗶 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝘆 (𝗨𝗞𝗡𝗔) 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱

The Assam Rifles has arrested a “senior commander” of the banned United Kuki National Army (UKNA) along with five other militants during a jungle operation in Manipur’s Churachandpur district, the paramilitary force said on Saturday.

According to an official statement, the operation, codenamed Operation Songkot, was launched on October 1. “Assam Rifles in a daring jungle operation apprehended senior commander SS Lt Jamkhogin Guite Lupho alias Pepsi of the United Kuki National Army,” the statement said.

Officials added that five other militants were also taken into custody. The Assam Rifles described the arrests as a major blow to the UKNA, stating: “The successful operation has dealt a crippling setback to UKNA’s networks in Churachandpur and Jiribam, reaffirming Assam Rifles’ relentless commitment to peace and security in the region.”

Security officials in Manipur said the arrested UKNA commander is allegedly involved in the killing of four Meiteis, including a father and son, in Bishnupur district in January 2024.

The arrests come amid continuing ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and hill-based Kuki-Zo groups, which has claimed more than 260 lives and displaced thousands since May 2023.