2 dead, 9 injured in fresh Manipur violence; ‘suspected Kuki insurgents’ use drones to drop bombs
Two people were killed and nine injured, including two police personnel, in firing by “suspected Kuki militants” in Manipur’s inter-district boundary areas. The attack was carried out using snipers and drone bombs, top intelligence sources told Indian news media company NDTV.
The sources said that the use of drop bombs on a civilian area in a state hit by ethnic violence is a huge, frightening escalation.
The Kuki tribes and the Meitei community have been fighting since May 2023 over a range of issues. Kangpokpi is a Kuki-dominated area, while Imphal West is in the Meitei-dominated valley.
‘Drones used to drop bombs’
They further highlighted that these drones were earlier suspected to have been used as spotters, while the crude artillery “pumpi guns” fired the shells that landed right near where the drones flew, trying to give the impression that the drones dropped the bombs.
However, this revelation by the top intelligence sources has increased the threat to high levels to the security forces and civilians living in the region.
Manipur Police in a post shared on X, stated that the involvement of highly-trained professionals, possibly with technical expertise, cannot be ruled out.
“Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and the police are prepared to respond to any contingency that may arise,” the police assured.
“Police appeal to the general public to maintain restraint. Combing operations are ongoing to flush out any inimical elements,” they added.
In an unprecedented attack in Koutruk, Imphal West, alleged Kuki militants have deployed numerous RPGs using high-tech drones. While drone bombs have commonly been used in general warfares, this recent deployment of drones to deploy explosives against security forces and the…
— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) September 1, 2024
One civilian identified as Ngangbam Surbala (31 years) succumbed to bullet injuries sustained in the attack, while her 8-year-old daughter was shot in the arm.
Moreover, two police personnel and three civilians sustained injuries in the ongoing incident, Manipur Police confirmed.
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The Manipur Home Department condemned the attack, saying that such an act of terrorising unarmed villagers is viewed very seriously by the state government when it is putting all possible efforts towards bringing normalcy and peace to the state.
“…The unfortunate incident of attack on unarmed Koutruk villagers using drone, bombs and many sophisticated weapons… reportedly by Kuki militants causing the death of two persons, including one woman and injuries to many,” they added.
(With inputs from agencies)
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