Suspected militants attacked a convoy in Manipur’s Ukhrul district on Monday, killing two soldiers of 40 Assam Rifles. After this there was firing for a long time and a massive search operation was conducted in the area. The deceased have been identified as Warrant Officer Balwant Singh and Rifleman CM Singh, who were reportedly driving one of the convoy’s vehicles. Officials said that both of them suffered serious injuries in the attack and despite receiving immediate medical help, they later died.
According to security officials, the attack took place near Nungshang Kong village near Shangshak when a convoy of 40 Assam Rifles was moving from its camp to a police station. Initial reports indicate that suspected militants planted three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on either side of a bridge along the route.IED) were planted.
Firing started after IED blast
As the vehicles passed that way, two IEDs exploded, followed by heavy firing from multiple directions in what officials described as a coordinated attack. Security forces started the operation. Assam Rifles soldiers immediately retaliated, resulting in heavy firing for about an hour. Officials said that later during the sanitization and search operation, the security forces found an unexploded IED from the spot.
The injured soldiers were first given emergency treatment at the Assam Rifles camp in Shangshak, then they were taken out for advanced medical care. However, both of them died later.
The security forces have launched a major combing operation in and around the area to nab those responsible. Officials said the situation remains tense and investigation is underway. Authorities have not yet identified the militant group behind the attack.
Condemnation of attack on soldiers
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla issued a statement through Lok Bhavan condemning the attack. He said such attacks have no place in society, adding that they cannot weaken the government’s “collective resolve to maintain peace and security.”
Condemning the attack, Manipur Home Minister Govinddas Konthoujam said such attacks undermine ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in the violence-hit state.
He also expressed confidence that the security forces will take all necessary steps to bring those responsible to justice and ensure that they are dealt with strictly as per the law.
Continuous violence continues in Manipur
The death of two Assam Rifles soldiers comes at a time when at least four civilians were injured in a clash between protesters and security personnel in Manipur’s Ukhrul district on Sunday, a few weeks ago, over the proposal to build a new Assam Rifles outpost in the area.
The villagers had alleged that around 40 Assam Rifles personnel deployed in Lambui village tried to set up an outpost in New Haven without first consulting the local authorities. In response, the people there, including women and student groups, protested demanding to stop the construction work.
Since ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Jo communities began in May 2023, security forces have continued search-and-dominance operations in vulnerable areas of Manipur. The fighting has left more than 260 people dead, displaced thousands, and remains one of the state’s most serious security challenges despite sustained efforts to restore peace.
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