Two Assam Rifles personnel were killed and another five were injured in an ambush by “unidentified terrorists” in Manipur’s Bishnupur district on Friday evening.
A Defence spokesperson said in a statement that the attack took place at around 5.50 pm, when a column of the 33 Assam Rifles was moving along National Highway 2 in the Nambol Sabal Leikai area. “In the ensuing action, two personnel of Assam Rifles were martyred and five were injured, who have since been evacuated to RIMS (Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal) and are currently stable,” the statement said.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. “Search operations are ongoing to eliminate the terrorists involved in the incident,” the Defence spokesperson’s statement said.
The attack comes less than a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the strife-torn state on September 13 — his first since the ongoing conflict began in 2023. It also comes after several months of relative calm in Manipur.
The last major disturbance in the state, which has seen periodic incidents of violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023, had taken place on March 8 this year, when one person died and many others were injured in Kangpokpi. The incident involved a clash between protesters and security forces escorting a state transport bus when the government had tried to impose “free movement” on the highways.
There have been a number of attacks on personnel from the armed forces 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 man was killed in gunfire and two police personnel were injured in an ambush near Jiribam town.
Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla condemned Friday’s incident in a statement issued by Raj Bhavan.
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“The Governor 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 reaffirmed 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 safeguard peace and stability in the region,” the statement read.
On his visit to Manipur last Saturday, Prime Minister Modi had appealed to all organisations to “move on the path of peace”. He had emphasised the importance of “dialogue, respect and mutual understanding” and said that “work is being done to establish peace”.
