20 Christian Indian Hostages Still Missing After Three Baptist Pastors Were Murdered Coming Home From a Peace Conference

India's National Investigation Agency Takes Over as Kuki Zo and Naga Communities Trade Abductions and the Zeliangrong United Front Kamson Faction Faces Accusations of Acting as a Meitei Proxy

Manipur is sliding back toward open inter ethnic war. Three Baptist pastors and their driver were ambushed and killed on 13 May 2026 while returning from a United Baptist Church Conference in Churachandpur to Kangpokpi. Four others were injured. Now, 20 hostages remain unaccounted for following retaliatory abductions between Kuki Zo and Naga communities.

The United Naga Council reports six Naga men missing. 14 Kuki Zo individuals are also held. Both communities had previously released some hostages after Indian Army mediation. Now the trades have stalled.

The Three Pastors and the Question of Who Killed Them

The murdered pastors were Rev. Vumthang Sitlhou, Rev. Kaigoulun, and Pastor Paogoulen. Kuki Zo groups blame the Zeliangrong United Front Kamson faction (ZUF K), an armed Naga group, and allege it may have acted as a proxy for Meitei armed groups seeking to deepen Christian community tensions in the predominantly Hindu state.

The accusation matters because both Kuki Zo and Naga communities are predominantly Christian. A Meitei provocation that pits them against each other serves the broader Hindu nationalist agenda in Manipur far more than it serves either Christian tribal group.

India's NIA Takes Over and the Christian Community Calls for Restraint

Manipur's Chief Minister announced the investigation would be transferred to India's National Investigation Agency, the federal counterterrorism body. Baptist organisations appealed for "immediate, safe and unconditional release of the hostages," warning that continued captivity deepens "fear and mistrust in society."

The Crusader's Opinion

Manipur is into its fourth year of religious and ethnic violence with zero senior officials convicted. Three Baptist pastors are dead. 20 more Christians are missing. The very communities that should be standing together against Hindu nationalist violence are now exchanging hostages and threats. Whoever planned the original pastor murders knew exactly what they were doing. Western Christians and Indian Christians must demand the NIA investigation be transparent and complete. India's BJP government must answer for Manipur. Pray for the families of the murdered pastors. Pray for the 20 hostages. Pray that the Body of Christ in Manipur refuses to be divided.

Take Action

• Donate: Evangelical Fellowship of India
• Pray: For the 20 hostages, the families of Sitlhou, Kaigoulun, and Paogoulen
• Contact: Your senator urging US pressure on India over Manipur
• Read: Christian Post and OrthoChristian's continuing Manipur coverage
• Share: The 20 missing figure and refuse to let Manipur go silent