Two Assam Rifles personnel were killed while five others were injured in an ambush by unidentified terrorists in Manipur’s Bishnupur district on Friday evening. The Defence spokesperson said in a statement that the attack took place around 5:50 PM, when a column of the 33 Assam Rifles was moving along National Highway 2 in the Nambol Sabal Leikai region.
“In the ensuing action, two personnel of Assam Rifles were martyred and five were injured, who have been evacuated to RIMS (Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal) and are currently stable,” said the statement by the Defence spokesperson.
Those who got injured have been identified as Naib Subedar Shyam Gurung and Rifleman Ranjit Singh Kashyap.
No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. “Search operations are ongoing to eliminate the terrorists involved in the incident,” said the Defence spokesperson in a statement to the media.
The attack comes less than a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Manipur on September 13, which was also his first visit to the state after the ongoing conflict began in 2023. After months of relative calm in the state, the Prime Minister’s visit appealed to all organisations to move on the path of peace. The PM also emphasised the importance of dialogue, respect, and mutual understanding, and said that work is being done to establish peace.
History of Attacks
The last major disturbance in Manipur took place on March 8 this year, when one person was killed and many others were injured in Kangpokpi. The incident involved a clash between protesters and security forces escorting a state transport bus after the government tried to impose free movement on highways.
Other than this, there have been several attacks on civilians and police during the course of the ongoing conflict. The last such deadly attack took place a year ago in September 2024, when a CRPF personnel was killed and two police personnel were injured in an ambush near Jiribam town.
Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla condemned the incident. A statement from the Raj Bhavan said, “The government expressed profound grief and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the martyred soldiers, acknowledging their unwavering courage and dedication in protecting the nation.”
He further conveyed prayers for the speedy recovery of those who sustained injuries in the incident. The Governor affirmed that such heinous acts of violence will not be tolerated under any circumstances and warned that they will be met with the strongest resolve to restore peace and stability in the region.