In the aftermath of a deadly ambush on an Assam Rifles convoy in Manipur, authorities have detained two suspects and recovered a vehicle believed to have been used in the attack. The incident, which occurred on Friday evening in the Nambol Sabal Leikai area of Bishnupur district, resulted in the death of two Assam Rifles personnel and injuries to five others.
The ambush took place around 5:50 pm when a column of the 33 Assam Rifles was moving along National Highway 2. Unidentified gunmen opened fire on the vehicle, a Tata 407, as it traveled from its Patsoi company operating base to the Nambol base. The two soldiers who died in the attack have been identified as Naib Subedar Shyam Gurung, 58, and Rifleman Kashav, 29. The injured were immediately evacuated to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal and are reported to be in stable condition. They have been identified as Ningthoukhongjam Nongthon, DJ Dutta, Havildar BK Rai, LP Sangma, and Warrant Officer Subashchandra.
Following the attack, security forces launched a massive operation in Shantipur and Ishok areas, leading to the detention of two individuals for further verification. The Manipur Police stated that a silver-blue colored van, suspected to have been used in the ambush, was recovered from Mutum Yangbi in Imphal West district, approximately 10 km from the site of the attack. Preliminary investigations are underway to identify all owners of the vehicle.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and protests. Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla strongly condemned the attack, calling it a heinous act of violence and expressing profound grief and condolences to the bereaved families. He also conveyed prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured and reaffirmed that such acts of violence would not be tolerated. The Governor emphasized the need for coordinated action among all security agencies to swiftly identify the perpetrators and maintain law and order across the state.
A wreath-laying ceremony was held in Imphal to honor the fallen soldiers, attended by Governor Bhalla, Chief Secretary Dr. Puneet Kumar Goel, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, and other senior officers and government officials. The Manipur government has announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh each for the families of the deceased soldiers and ₹2 lakh each for the injured personnel.
No group has claimed responsibility for the ambush as of yet. However, officials suspect the involvement of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), a Meitei insurgent group operating from Myanmar. The PLA, banned since 1979, seeks the secession of Manipur from India.
The attack occurred on the same road that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken during his recent visit to Manipur a week prior. This is the first attack against central security forces deployed in Manipur since ethnic violence broke out between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei people in May 2023.
In response to the attack, security measures are being strengthened in vulnerable and sensitive areas, including highways, transit routes, and border zones. Enhanced patrolling, intensified intelligence gathering, and stronger inter-agency coordination are being emphasized to prevent future incidents. Locals have also staged sit-in protests, demanding justice and enhanced security.
The Assam Rifles, in addition to the ongoing investigation, has continued its counter-insurgency efforts in the region. In a separate operation in Churachandpur district, the paramilitary force recovered a significant cache of illegal arms, including eight single-barreled 12-bore rifles.
