Following the neutralization of 10 suspected militants in Manipur, the Indian Army insists its operation was a necessary response to hostile fire during fence construction area sanitization. This denial clashes with strong allegations from Myanmar’s NUG, which claims the individuals were non-combatants subjected to severe human rights abuses by Indian forces.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, India – May 22, 2025 – The Indian Army has refuted recent news reports alleging that its security forces intentionally killed 10 armed militants on May 14, 2025, in the Chandel district of Manipur. The Army has labeled these claims as factually incorrect, misleading, and based on unverified speculations, urging for necessary corrections.
A statement issued by the PRO Defence, Ministry of Defence, Manipur, Nagaland, and southern Arunachal Pradesh, pointed out to the volatile nature of the Indo-Myanmar Border (IMB) region, characterized by its rugged terrain and limited connectivity. The statement noted the ongoing violent conflicts between ethnic armed groups and the Myanmar Army on the Myanmar side of the IMB. In response to this instability, India has been constructing a border fence to curb illegal activities and large-scale infiltration by hostile elements from across the border. The Indian Army, in collaboration with the Assam Rifles, is actively patrolling the region to prevent the misuse of Indian territory for illegal activities, working alongside the Border Road Organisation (BRO) to secure the area, the release stated.
Update: https://t.co/RVeJn2YzEI
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The statement further detailed the events of May 14, 2025, explaining that an Assam Rifles patrol, tasked with sanitizing the area for fence construction, came under intense automatic fire from armed cadres. According to the Army, this posed a severe threat to both construction workers and troops. In response, the security forces neutralized 10 cadres and recovered a significant cache of automatic weapons and war-like stores. The deceased cadres are suspected to be members of the Pa Ka Pha (PKP) group, and no faction or entity has claimed them, the release added.
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The Indian Army emphasized its professionalism and tactical precision during the operation, asserting its strict neutrality in the conflict on the Myanmar side of the IMB. Initial details of the operation were shared via social media on the day of the incident, with a detailed update provided by the Ministry of Defence in Kohima on May 15, 2025. The statement mentioned that contact was established across the IMB in Myanmar following existing protocols, but no faction came forward to claim the mortal remains within 48 hours of the operation.
The Army reiterated that the Indian Security Forces, including the Assam Rifles, operate strictly within Indian territory as per their mandate. They dismissed the allegations as baseless and malicious, emphasizing that regular reports indicate armed groups attempting to hinder fence construction. “The Indian Security Forces remain committed to preventing such disruptions while ensuring the safety of the region,” the statement concluded.
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NUG of Myanmar Accused Army of Cold-Blooded Murder and Torture
Earlier, the National Unity Government (NUG) of Myanmar, the shadow civilian government formed in opposition to the military junta, issued a statement accusing the Indian Army of cold-blooded murder, torture, and other severe human rights violations in connection with the May 14 incident. The NUG alleges that the individuals killed were not armed militants posing an immediate threat but rather civilians or members of ethnic armed organizations engaged in resistance against the Myanmar military regime.
The NUG’s statement further claimrd that the Indian Army’s actions constitute a violation of international law and human rights principles. They have called for an independent international investigation into the incident and demanded accountability for those responsible. These allegations from the NUG are likely to further escalate tensions and complicate the already sensitive situation along the Indo-Myanmar border.
