The Monday morning skirmish at the Myanmar-India border saw significant casualties as KNA-B militants clashed with local insurgent factions. While the KNA-B death toll rises, the involvement of Myanmar’s People’s Defence Force (PDF) highlights the growing cross-border insurgent cooperation.
BY PC Bureau
The deadly clash between the Kuki National Army (KNA-Burma) and two Manipur-based insurgent groups on Monday resulted in more casualties than initially reported. While four KNA-B cadres were confirmed dead, latest reports suggest that the actual  toll on the KNA side may be higher. Additionally, three rebels from Myanmar’s People’s Defence Force (PDF) were also killed in the fierce gun battle with Manipur-based groups, likely from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL).
This major confrontation unfolded early Monday morning near Indo-Myanmar Border Pillar No. 87, an area known for its frequent insurgent activity. The encounter reflects the growing violence between Myanmar-based Kuki-Zo militant factions and Manipur-based insurgents, exacerbating an already volatile security situation in the region.
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The Kuki National Army (Burma) (KNA-B) is the armed wing of the Kuki National Organization (KNO), a separatist group that operates along the Indo-Myanmar border, primarily composed of the Kuki-Zo ethnic community.. Formed to advocate for the rights and autonomy of the Kuki people, the KNA-B has engaged in armed resistance against Myanmar’s military as well as clashes with Indian insurgent groups. It operates mainly in Myanmar’s border regions, including Kachin State, and has ties with other ethnic insurgent groups in Myanmar and India. The KNA-B’s activities are part of a broader regional conflict involving various ethnic militias, contributing to instability in the region.
The Gunfight: Timeline of Events
The confrontation began around 2:20 AM when KNA-B militants launched a coordinated three-pronged attack on a camp believed to be occupied by Manipur-based insurgent outfits. The pre-dawn assault was met with immediate and intense retaliation, leading to a fierce firefight that lasted until 6 AM.
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KNA-B cadres initiated the attack from three different directions using sophisticated weaponry, aiming to overpower the valley-based insurgent camp. However, the defending forces, already on high alert about the advancing KNA-B militants, fought back fiercely, leading to heavy casualties on both sides. Initial reports confirm the death of at least four KNA-B militants, with local sources speculating the number may be higher because several KNA cadres were fatally injured. Three PDF insurgents, reportedly aligned with the KNA-B, were also killed in the clash.
After the firefight, valley-based insurgents seized 14 weapons from the slain KNA-B fighters. Four insurgents from the valley factions sustained injuries, but all are reported to be stable. The KNA-B forces were pushed back across the border into Myanmar, with their temporary camp reportedly destroyed during the battle.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was formed in the 1970s. The PLA is one of the most prominent Meitei insurgent groups in Manipur. It advocates for the independence of Manipur and opposes Indian sovereignty over the state. The group has engaged in various armed conflicts with Indian security forces over the years.
PLA Na Changsilliba Ningtam Lanjang Saruk Yarasi || Join PLA pic.twitter.com/4l28vknOAE
— People’s Liberation Army Manipur (@PLAManipur) January 2, 2025
On the other hand, Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), also a Meitei separatist group based in the Imphal Valley, was founded in the 1990s. While it advocates for similar goals of an independent Manipur, it focuses more on promoting the cultural and political identity of the Meitei people.
Both groups have been involved in numerous violent clashes with Indian security forces. They are part of a broader insurgency in the region that involves multiple groups with varying objectives, including calls for autonomy or independence for Manipur.
On 22.01.2025, Manipur Police arrested 01(one) active cadre of KYKL who was involved in extortion of money from general public and shops etc. namely, Maibam Bronson Singh @ Thambou @ Ngamba (24) from Langol Type III area under Lamphel PS, Imphal West District. From his possession… pic.twitter.com/klHT6ZgbnD
— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) January 24, 2025
The Role of PDF Militants in the Clash
The involvement of PDF insurgents in the skirmish highlights the increasing role of Myanmar-based anti-junta forces in the Manipur conflict. The PDF, which has been fighting Myanmar’s military dictatorship, has long been suspected of aligning with Kuki-Zo militant groups operating along the border.
- The PDF was created by various anti-junta factions, including ethnic militias and pro-democracy groups. Its primary objective is to overthrow the military junta and restore the civilian government that was ousted in the 2021 coup. The PDF aims to protect Myanmar’s people from military repression and promote democratic governance.
- Composition: The group consists of diverse elements, including ethnic armed groups, civilians, and defectors from the Myanmar military. The PDF is often aligned with other ethnic groups that have been fighting the Myanmar military for decades, like the Karen, Kachin, and Chin, among others. It is also supported by the National Unity Government (NUG), a shadow government formed by members of the ousted parliament.
- Role in the Conflict: PDF militants have engaged in armed resistance against the Myanmar military in various parts of the country. They conduct guerrilla warfare, ambushing military convoys, sabotaging infrastructure, and targeting military installations. Their efforts are concentrated in rural areas, but they have also conducted attacks in urban centers.
PDF guerillas carrying out an attack on junta forces in Monywa, Myanmar pic.twitter.com/AogdwfXVMc
— POV combat footage (@Zoma3mk) January 4, 2025
- Relation to the Kuki-Zo Militants: Some Myanmar-based insurgent groups, including the PDF, have been speculated to work with Kuki-Zo militant factions operating along the Indo-Myanmar border, such as the Kuki National Army (KNA). This relationship reflects a broader cross-border cooperation between insurgent groups fighting for autonomy, both in Myanmar and in India’s northeastern states like Manipur.
- Humanitarian Concerns: The PDF’s actions have drawn both local support, especially from those opposing the military junta, as well as criticism for the violence it has engendered in some areas. The ongoing conflict between the PDF and the Myanmar military has contributed to widespread displacement and humanitarian crises in Myanmar.
The deaths of PDF fighters in this encounter suggest that cross-border militant cooperation is intensifying, further internationalizing the Manipur conflict. Myanmar’s internal instability continues to spill over into Indian territory, with PDF fighters directly engaging in regional battles. Indian insurgent groups, on the other hand, appear to be targeting KNA-B and its allies to weaken Kuki-Zo resistance along the border.
The battle near Yangoupokpi-Kamjong district marks one of the deadliest encounters along the Indo-Myanmar border in recent weeks. While official reports confirm four KNA-B fatalities, growing speculation points to a death toll closer to ten. Additionally, three PDF fighters lost their lives in the clash, highlighting the rising cross-border insurgent activity.
As tensions between Kuki insurgent factions and valley-based rebel groups reach a tipping point, the likelihood of further clashes remains high. The Indian government and security forces must reassess border security strategies to prevent further escalation and counter the growing external militant influence from Myanmar.