Suspected militants attacked Chawangkining Naga village in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Tuesday night, burning at least two wooden houses and engaging in an exchange of fire with CRPF personnel. The attack occurred around 10.30 p.m., hours after two Kuki women were shot dead in a neighboring village, according to officials.

The incident began when a large number of militants, armed with sophisticated weapons, targeted the village. CRPF forces deployed in the area returned fire, leading to an intermittent exchange that lasted nearly six hours until around 4.30 a.m. on Wednesday. The official statement noted that the CRPF's intervention prevented the militants from entering the village, though two houses at the periphery were set ablaze.

The attack followed the killing of two Kuki women in Leisangphai village, Tamenglong district, on Tuesday. The victims, identified as 28-year-old nursing graduate Kimjalhai Singson and 76-year-old Phalneichong Sitlhou, were both residents of the same village. Sitlhou, a widow, was shot while gathering firewood at her farm, while Singson, who had recently completed her nursing course, had returned home to assist her parents with farming.

Senior Naga leader and Naga Peoples' Front legislator Awangbou Newmai condemned the violence, calling the attacks 'barbaric and senseless.' He stated that such acts would bring no good to any community. A Kuki MLA from Saikul constituency in Kangpokpi district also expressed outrage, noting that one of the victims had recently graduated in nursing. She alleged the involvement of NSCN-IM and ZUF-K cadres in the killings, describing the act as 'sheer brutality' that could not be justified by any political cause or ideology.

The motive behind the attacks remains unclear, with no further details on the alleged perpetrators or their objectives. The incident highlights ongoing tensions in the region, where multiple armed groups have been active for years, often clashing with security forces and local communities.

The events underscore the complex security situation in Manipur, where ethnic and political tensions have led to frequent violence. While the CRPF's intervention prevented the militants from overrunning the village, the destruction of property and loss of life continue to raise concerns about the impact on local residents. Further information on the broader context of the conflict and the role of various groups remains limited in the available sources.