Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has issued a press release denying any involvement in the ambush. United Naga Council (UNC) issued a strong condemnation of the attack and expressed concerns over reports that some Nagas from Konsakhul village had allegedly been held hostage by villagers from Leilon Vaiphei following the ambush.
TFM Report
A deadly ambush targeting church leaders of the Thadou Baptist Association (TBA) has sent shockwaves across Manipur after several prominent Christian leaders were attacked between Kotzim and Kotlen villages in Kangpokpi district on Tuesday.
According to sources, the church leaders were returning to Kangpokpi from Churachandpur after attending a TBA conference when armed assailants allegedly ambushed their convoy midway. The victims were traveling in two vehicles at the time of the attack.
Among those killed in the ambush was Rev. V. Sitlhou, former General Secretary of the Manipur Baptist Convention (MBC), Pastor Paogoulen, and Pastor Kaigoulun. The killings have triggered widespread grief and outrage among many organisations.
As per sources, others who sustained injuries in the incident include Rev. S.M. Haopu, Rev. Hekai Simte, Rev. Paothang, Lelen (driver), and Goumang (driver). It is stated that some of the injured were rushed for medical treatment as authorities began assessing the scale of the attack.
The ambush has sparked fresh tensions in the already volatile hill districts of Manipur, where ethnic and armed conflicts have continued to destabilise normal life.
UNC Condemns “Outrageous Ambush”
The United Naga Council (UNC) issued a strong condemnation of the attack through an official press release dated May 13, 2026. The organization described the ambush as an “outrageous” act and stated that three persons had been killed while five others were grievously injured according to available reports.
The UNC specifically mentioned that the incident occurred between Kotzin and Kotlen while the church leaders were returning from Churachandpur. The council expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for strength and peace during the period of mourning.
The statement also highlighted concerns over reports that around 20 Nagas from Konsakhul village had allegedly been held hostage by villagers from Leilon Vaiphei following the ambush. Calling such actions unacceptable, the UNC urged the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages and appealed to all communities, church leaders, and civil society organizations to work together to prevent further escalation of violence and restore communal harmony.
ZUF Denies Involvement
Meanwhile, the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) issued a press release denying any involvement in the ambush. The statement, released by the organization’s Ministry of Information and Publicity from its Dilung headquarters, said the group had learned of the attack “with deep shock and concern.”
The organization categorically rejected allegations circulating on social media and in certain public circles linking the ZUF to the incident. According to the statement, the allegations were “baseless, unfounded and misleading,” and the organization claimed it was neither aware of nor connected to the attack in any manner.
The ZUF further appealed to civil society groups and media organizations not to spread unverified information or make premature accusations without factual evidence, warning that misinformation could further inflame the already sensitive situation in the state.
Fear and Uncertainty Grip Region
The brutal nature of the ambush, reportedly targeting unarmed church leaders returning from a religious gathering, has generated fear and uncertainty across the hill region. Images circulating after the incident showed damaged vehicles and critically injured victims, underscoring the severity of the attack.
Security agencies are expected to launch a detailed investigation into the incident. However, no official statement had yet been issued by the state government or law enforcement authorities regarding the identity of the attackers or the exact casualty figures till the filing of this report.
The incident is likely to deepen concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the hill districts, where armed activity, ethnic distrust, and retaliatory violence continue to threaten civilian lives.
Church organizations, tribal bodies, and civil society groups are expected to hold emergency consultations in the coming days as calls grow louder for justice, accountability, and restoration of peace in the conflict-affected areas of Manipur.
The post Church Leaders Killed in Ambush; ZUF Denies Involvement first appeared on The Frontier Manipur.
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