In Bishnupur district of Manipur, militants ambushed the soldiers of Assam Rifles on Friday evening. Two soldiers were killed in this attack while five others were injured. The incident took place in Nambol Sabal Laikai area of Bishnupur district of the state, which is about 16 km from the capital Infal.
According to the information, at around 5:50 pm, the vehicle of Assam Rifles was going from Imphal towards Bishnupur. Then 4 to 5 armed militants suddenly started firing on the vehicle of the soldiers. The firing was so intense that the soldiers did not even get time to take the position. However, the soldiers did not immediately firing with restraint and in the crowded area to save the common people from casualties.
The soldiers who were martyred in this attack have been identified as Naik Subedar Shyam Gurung and Rifleman Keshap. The injured soldiers have been admitted to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) at Imphal. One of them jawans N. Nongathon said that the attackers suddenly started firing, but the soldiers did not immediately retaliate because the incident took place in the crowded area and the common people were feared to be casualties.
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Among the injured, Ningthoukhongjam Nongathon (Infal East), D.J. Dutta (Lakhimpur, Assam), Havildar B.K. Rai (Sikkim), LP Sangma (Tura, Meghalaya) and Subhash Chandra (Uttarakhand) are included.
Search operation after the incident
The police and forensic team have recovered a large number of cartridges from the spot. According to preliminary investigation, the attackers escaped in the nearby dense areas after the attack. Security forces have started a combing operation in the area.
The place where the attack took place does not come under the purview of the area AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act). Afspa is currently applicable in almost the entire area of Manipur, but 13 police stations of five districts of the valley have been excluded from it. Nambol is included in those areas. From this, questions are also arising whether the attackers deliberately chose a place where there are more legal limitations on the retaliation of the security forces.
Reaction of governor and leaders
Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla condemned the attack and paid tribute to the martyred soldiers. He said, “Such disgusting attacks will not be tolerated under any circumstances. The sacrifice of security forces will always be remembered to protect the country.”
Former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh went to RIMS and met the injured soldiers and said, “This attack on our brave soldiers is very sad. I express condolences to the families of the martyrs and pray for the early recovery of the injured. The culprits should get severe punishment.”
President’s rule is applicable in Manipur
Significantly, peace has not returned in Manipur for two years. At least 260 people have died in the ethnic conflict between Maetai and Cookie communities, which started from May 2023 and thousands of people are displaced and living in relief camps. In February this year, amid increasing tension and violence in the state, the then Chief Minister N.K. Biren Singh resigned. After this, President’s rule was implemented in the state.
(With input of PTI)
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