Imphal: In a fresh wave of violence, one woman was reportedly killed and two others, including a police officer, were injured in an attack by suspected Kuki militants at Koutruk village in Imphal West district on Sunday.
According to sources, the incident occurred around 2 pm when suspected Kuki militants launched an attack in the Koutruk area. During the attack, Ngangbam Surbala, 31, wife of Angom Ingo, a VDF member posted at Phayeng, was struck in the head by a bullet and succumbed to her injuries.
The two injured have been identified as Ngangbam Rojiya, 8, daughter of Angom Ingo, and Raj Toijam, 26, son of Toijam Kondum of Nambol Makha. Both were rushed to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal for treatment.
Similar attacks were reported from Singda and Kadangband. Security forces stationed in the area immediately responded and retaliated, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
According to a police statement, Kuki militants allegedly deployed numerous RPGs using high-tech drones. While drone bombs have commonly been used in general warfares, this recent deployment of drones to deploy explosives against security forces and the civilians marks a significant escalation.
“The involvement of highly trained professionals, possibly with technical expertise and support, cannot be ruled out. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and the police are prepared to respond to any contingency that may arise,” a police official said.
The attack resulted in the death of a civilian, identified as Ngangbam Surbala (31), who succumbed to bullet injuries, while her 8-year-old daughter sustained injuries to her arm.
Two police personnel and three civilians sustained injuries in the ongoing incident.
The police official further appealed to the general public to maintain restraint. Combing operations are ongoing to flush out any inimical elements.
Meanwhile, in another statement, the state government said, “Such act of terrorising upon the unarmed villagers is viewed very seriously by the State Government, when the State Government is putting all possible efforts towards bringing normalcy and peace in the State,” it stated.
It further stated that such act of creating havoc among the unarmed villagers reportedly by Kuki militants is seen as an attempt to derail the efforts taken by State Government to establish peace in the State.
The State Government informed that it 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.
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