Imphal, May 13: Thadou Inpi Manipur has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a team of Thadou Baptist Church leaders that took place on May 13, 2026, in Kangpokpi District, Manipur. The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. when two vehicles carrying church leaders were ambushed and fired upon at point-blank range between Kotzim and Saheibung villages, near Sangaithel Manipur Olympian Park.

According to the organisation, three senior leaders of the Thadou Baptist Association India (TBAI)—Rev. Dr. Vumthang Sitlhou, Rev. Kaigoulun Lhouvum, and Pastor Paogoulen Sitlhou—were martyred on the spot. Several others, including Rev. S.M. Haopu and Rev. Kaikhothang Singsit, sustained injuries of varying severity.

Thadou Inpi Manipur declared the slain leaders as “Thadou Martyrs,” describing them as peace-loving individuals who laid down their lives in service to God and the community. The group emphasised that the Thadou people are a distinct ethnic community, separate from the Kuki identity, and reiterated that the TBAI is independent of other Kuki Christian organisations.

In its appeal, Thadou Inpi Manipur urged both the Government of Manipur and the Government of India to identify and prosecute the perpetrators, halt the killing of innocent civilians, and launch a decisive crackdown on militants to restore peace and rule of law. The organisation also called for an end to what it described as “politics of appeasement” toward radicals and demanded concrete steps to heal the wounds of Manipur’s ongoing ethnic conflict.

The attack has deepened concerns over escalating violence in the region, with community leaders stressing the urgent need for accountability and lasting peace.