On Friday evening, insurgents ambushed Assam Rifles soldiers in Manipur's Bishnupur district, resulting in the martyrdom of two soldiers and injuries to five others. The incident occurred in the area of Nambol Sabal Laikai, approximately 16 kilometers from the state capital, Imphal.
Around 5:50 PM, as an Assam Rifles vehicle was moving from Imphal to Bishnupur, 4 to 5 armed insurgents suddenly launched a heavy barrage of gunfire on the soldiers' vehicle. The attack was so intense that the soldiers didn't have time to take defensive positions. Nevertheless, the soldiers maintained composure and refrained from returning fire to avoid civilian casualties in the crowded area.
The martyred soldiers were identified as Naik Subedar Shyam Gurung and Rifleman Kesap. The injured have been admitted to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal. One of the soldiers, N. Nongthon, noted that the attackers began shooting suddenly, but the soldiers held their fire to prevent harm to the public given the crowded location.
The injured include Ningthoukongjam Nongthon (Imphal East), D.J. Dutta (Lakhimpur, Assam), Havildar B.K. Rai (Sikkim), L.P. Sangma (Tura, Meghalaya), and Subhash Chandra (Uttarakhand).
Source: aajtak
Post-Attack Search Operations
Police and forensic teams recovered numerous cartridges from the scene. Initial investigations suggest that the attackers fled into nearby dense areas after the attack. Security forces have launched a combing operation in the region.
The location of the attack doesn’t fall under the jurisdiction of AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act). Although AFSPA is currently enforced in almost the entire state of Manipur, 13 police station areas in the valley's five districts, including Nambol, are excluded. This exclusion raises questions about whether the attackers intentionally chose such a location where legal constraints on security responses are greater.
Reactions from the Governor and Leaders
Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla condemned the attack and paid tribute to the martyred soldiers. He stated, “Such heinous attacks are intolerable. The sacrifice of the security forces will always be remembered for the defense of the nation.”
Former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh visited RIMS to meet the wounded soldiers and expressed, “This attack on our brave soldiers is deeply saddening. My condolences go out to the families of the martyrs and I pray for the quick recovery of the injured. The perpetrators must face the harshest penalties.”
President's Rule in Manipur
Notably, Manipur has not witnessed peace for over two years. Since May 2023, ethnic strife between the Meitei and Kuki communities has led to the deaths of at least 260 people and displaced thousands into relief camps. In February this year, amid escalating tensions and violence, the then Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned, after which President's rule was imposed in the state.
