In the early hours of Monday, security forces carried out an intelligence-based operation at Khanpi village in Manipur, located around 80 kilometres west of Churachandpur. During the operation, terrorists opened fire on the Army team without any provocation, leading to a gunfight between the forces and armed members of the United Kuki National Army (UKNA), which is a non-SOO insurgent group.
Officials said that four UKNA cadres were killed in the exchange of fire. The operation began in the early morning and is still going on. Security forces are continuing to search the nearby areas to ensure there are no more armed members hiding in the region. Sources added that more details will be known once the search operation is fully completed.
According to Army officials, this action comes after recent violent incidents in the area linked to UKNA. The group was reportedly involved in the killing of a village chief, threatening local residents, and trying to disturb peace in the region. Security forces said that these incidents had created fear among villagers and affected normal life. 
The Army and Assam Rifles said that their main focus is to protect innocent civilians and maintain peace in Manipur. They said that the operation shows their strong commitment to dealing with those who try to spread violence and instability. “Our aim is to keep the region safe and ensure that people can live without fear,” an official said.
