The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) has categorically denied any involvement in the May 13, 2026 ambush near Kotzim in Kangpokpi district in which three Thadou Baptist Association India (TBAI) church leaders were killed.

In a statement issued through its Ministry of Information and Publicity (MIP), the NSCN-IM described social media posts linking its cadres to the incident as “baseless, malicious and fabricated”, and said no member of the organisation was involved in the attack.

The three church leaders killed in the incident were identified as Rev. Dr Vumthang Sitlhou, Rev. Kaigoulun Lhouvum and Pastor Paogoulen Sitlhou.

The NSCN-IM said it had no knowledge, connection or role in the armed ambush, and alleged that attempts to implicate the organisation were aimed at disrupting the peace process, diverting official investigations and creating communal disharmony.

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The organisation also rejected a name being circulated on social media in connection with the NSCN, stating that there was no person named MS Chekneichung Chiru, alias Achung, in its rank and file. It termed the reference to the individual as fictitious and defamatory.

The NSCN-IM expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and the wider Christian community and said it respected the National Investigation Agency’s takeover of the investigation.

It called for a transparent, unbiased and thorough probe by the central investigating agency to identify and bring the actual perpetrators of the Kotzim ambush to justice.

The organisation also appealed to the public, media organisations and social media users to exercise restraint and verify information before circulating unverified reports.

The NSCN-IM said it would not tolerate what it described as attempts to malign its image through “fake news” and reserved the right to take necessary measures to counter such allegations.