Manipur: Two Assam Rifles Personnel Killed in Ambush, Valley-Based Insurgents Suspected
New Delhi: Two Assam Rifles personnel were killed after suspected Imphal valley-based insurgents ambushed a convoy in Manipur's Bishnupur district on Friday (September 19) evening.
The attack took place at around 5:50 pm on Friday when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a Tata 407 vehicle carrying personnel from Imphal towards Bishnupur at Nambol Sabal Leikai, under the jurisdiction of the Nambol police station.
According to initial reports, one personnel died on the spot while others sustained injuries and were rushed to a hospital. Later, a second casualty was confirmed.
The deceased have been identified as Naib Subedar Shyam Gurung from Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district and Rifleman Ranjeet Singh Kashyap from Chhattisgarh's Bastar district.
In a statement to the media, ADGP Ashutosh Kumar Sinha said: “An ambush has taken place on security forces despite all security forces trying to bring peace and restoration of normalcy.”
Five Assam Rifles personnel are currently undergoing medical treatment in the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal.
A senior police officer told The Wire that valley-based insurgent groups were behind the ambush. “It is probably the PLA [People’s Liberation Army],” the official said.
However, The Wire wasn’t able to independently confirm the claims.
“The investigation is ongoing,” the official added.
The Wire was told by a source: “Armed men came by motorcycle and attacked from a hidden location, and the attack was so sudden that jawans had no time to react – they [the assailants] ran away after firing several rounds.”
The situation is tense on the ground and massive search operations are being conducted by state and Union forces.
The incident occurs six days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the strife-torn state.
Since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023, more than 260 people have been killed, among them civilians, army jawans and state police commanders.
Thousands have been injured, and over 60,000 people remain displaced, living in relief camps.
The prolonged conflict has also seen widespread arson, the destruction of villages and the looting of arms from police and paramilitary armouries, further fuelling the cycle of violence.
This article went live on September nineteenth, two thousand twenty five, at twenty-eight minutes past eleven at night.The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
