Three Hostages Rescued, One Injured in KIA/KIO Encounter with Security Forces in Manipur
The police in Manipur is concerned that the Kuki Independent Army/Kuki Independent Organization (KIA/KIO) may use villagers as human shields during clashes to discredit the security forces. As a result, KIA/KIO cadres took five innocent citizens prisoner during a recent fire battle with the joint security forces of the Manipur Police.
Three of the five captives have been rescued, including Lhunkhopao Haokip, a villager who sustained a gunshot wound to the left knee during the ordeal. He was sent immediately to the Churachandpur District Hospital for medical care.
In response to the hostage scenario, the police have intensified their counterinsurgency efforts in the suspected hideouts in the Churachandpur district and Myanmar border regions to rescue any additional abducted people.
On April 16, a special police squad operated in the Churachandpur District to retrieve stolen weapons and ammunition from the Chongkhojou Suspension of Operation Camp on April 8. Police were able to retrieve the stolen guns; hence the operation was successful.
The security forces’ attempts to suppress insurgency and safeguard innocent civilians continue in Manipur, where the situation remains challenging.
