Three militants killed as rival Naga groups clash in Manipur’s Noney district

Millat Times Desk

05 November 2026 (Publish: 07:08 AM IST)

0

A violent clash between two rival Naga armed groups in Manipur’s Noney district left at least three suspected militants dead on Wednesday, with several others reportedly injured. The gunfight continued for several hours, delaying the arrival of security personnel at the scene.

The exchange of fire began around 3:30 am in Taodaijang village, media reports said. 

The intense firing initially prevented security personnel from reaching the area.

According to reports, those killed belonged to the Zeliangrong United Front (Jenchui faction) and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah).

However, The Hindu quoted local residents as saying that one of the deceased belonged to the Kamson faction of the Zeliangrong United Front.

A senior police officer told Scroll that three suspected militants were killed in the gunfight. Several others from the rival groups were also injured. The cause of the clash remains unclear.

The incident comes amid continuing ethnic tensions in Manipur, where violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities erupted in May 2023. Tensions between Kuki and Naga communities have also intensified in the state since February.

According to figures presented in the Manipur Assembly in September, at least 310 people have been killed, and 49 remain missing since the outbreak of violence in 2023. 

Around 60,000 people were displaced. Of these, approximately 36,000 have been resettled, while 24,000 continue to live in relief camps across the