IMPHAL: Two Assam Rifles personnel were killed and five others injured on Friday evening when heavily armed insurgents ambushed their convoy at Nambol Sabal Leikai in Manipur’s Bishnupur district along National Highway-150, officials said.
Police identified the deceased as Naib Subedar Shyam Gurung, 58, a junior commissioned officer, and Rifleman Keshap, 29. The attack took place around 5.50 pm as a column of 33 Assam Rifles was moving from its Patsoi Company Operating Base in Imphal West to Nambol Company Operating Base in Bishnupur.
According to an army statement, insurgents fired at the troops after positioning themselves on both sides of the highway. In the exchange, two soldiers lost their lives while five others were injured. The wounded were shifted to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), where they are reported to be in stable condition.
One of the injured personnel, N Nongthon, told PTI that 4-5 attackers opened fire suddenly. “We did not immediately retaliate as it would have caused civilian casualties since it was not an isolated area,” he said.
No insurgent group has claimed responsibility for the assault so far. Security forces have since launched extensive search operations to track down the attackers, Assam Rifles stated.
Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, strongly condemned the incident. In a statement issued by Raj Bhavan on X, the Governor said, “Two brave jawans of the Assam Rifles made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Such heinous acts of violence will not be tolerated under any circumstances and will be met with the strongest resolve to safeguard peace and stability in the region.”