Two people, including a woman, were killed, and nine others injured in a gun-and-bomb attack by suspected militants in the Koutruk and Kadangband areas of Manipur on Sunday. The militants reportedly fired indiscriminately from hilltop positions, leading to significant panic and damage.
Police said the attackers targeted low-lying valley areas, resulting in heavy shelling and extensive damage to several houses.Hospital officials confirmed that five of the injured sustained bullet wounds, while others suffered splinter injuries from bomb explosions.
The sudden onslaught forced many villagers, including women, children, and the elderly, to flee to safer locations.
The body of the deceased woman, identified as 31-year-old Ngangbam Surbala Devi, has been taken to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) for a post-mortem examination. The identity of the other fatality has not yet been confirmed, according to police.
Security forces, comprising both state and central units, have been deployed in the area to stabilize the situation. The state government has strongly condemned the attack.
“The state government has learnt about the unfortunate incident of attack on unarmed Koutruk villagers using drones, bombs, and sophisticated weapons reportedly by Kuki militants causing the death of two persons including one woman. Such an act of terrorizing upon unarmed villagers is viewed very seriously by the state government when it is putting all possible efforts towards bringing normalcy and peace in the state,” read a statement by the home department.
The government also sees the attack as an attempt to disrupt ongoing peace efforts.
“The state government has already taken up immediate action to control the situation and to punish those who were involved in the attack on Koutruk Village, Imphal West,” the statement added.
Police have heightened vigilance in response to the attack. “Meanwhile, the DGP has instructed all SPs to remain on maximum alert in all fringe areas,” police confirmed.
Police said the attackers targeted low-lying valley areas, resulting in heavy shelling and extensive damage to several houses.Hospital officials confirmed that five of the injured sustained bullet wounds, while others suffered splinter injuries from bomb explosions.
The sudden onslaught forced many villagers, including women, children, and the elderly, to flee to safer locations.
The body of the deceased woman, identified as 31-year-old Ngangbam Surbala Devi, has been taken to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) for a post-mortem examination. The identity of the other fatality has not yet been confirmed, according to police.
Security forces, comprising both state and central units, have been deployed in the area to stabilize the situation. The state government has strongly condemned the attack.
“The state government has learnt about the unfortunate incident of attack on unarmed Koutruk villagers using drones, bombs, and sophisticated weapons reportedly by Kuki militants causing the death of two persons including one woman. Such an act of terrorizing upon unarmed villagers is viewed very seriously by the state government when it is putting all possible efforts towards bringing normalcy and peace in the state,” read a statement by the home department.
The government also sees the attack as an attempt to disrupt ongoing peace efforts.
“The state government has already taken up immediate action to control the situation and to punish those who were involved in the attack on Koutruk Village, Imphal West,” the statement added.
Police have heightened vigilance in response to the attack. “Meanwhile, the DGP has instructed all SPs to remain on maximum alert in all fringe areas,” police confirmed.