2 Paramilitary Soldiers Killed in Suspected Kuki Insurgents Attack in Manipur

Two soldiers died and two others were injured in an attack at a camp of the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) in Naranseina village, located 45 km from Imphal, the state capital of Bishnupur district. The attackers, suspected Kuki insurgents, approached from the nearby hills, only 2 km from the IRB camp, and unleashed gunfire when they were within range. The insurgents reportedly used a crude handmade ‘artillery’ known as the ‘pumpy gun’, capable of shooting mortar-like explosive projectiles.

This attack took place just six days before the first anniversary of the Manipur crisis, and police sources anticipate an escalation in future attacks by militants hiding in the hills. The soldiers who lost their lives were from the CRPF’s 128 Battalion and have been identified as sub-inspector N Sarkar and head constable Arup Saini. The two injured personnel are inspector Jadav Das and constable Aftab Das.

The attack began at midnight and continued until 2:15 am, during which the militants fired indiscriminately from the hilltops and hurled bombs, one of which exploded in the outpost of CRPF’s 128 battalion. Following the incident, a significant combing operation is underway in the area to locate the insurgents. The region has recently experienced heavy gunfights between Meitei and Kuki-Zo armed groups, with both sides referring to themselves as “village defense volunteers.”

This label has sparked controversy, as it seemingly provides a pretext for lethal actions under the guise of “self-defense”. The valley is primarily inhabited by the Meitei community, while the Kuki-Zo tribes dominate the hills in Manipur’s south and certain other areas.