'Significant escalation': Why Manipur Police have termed Sunday's attack 'unprecedented'

Tensions resurfaced in Manipur’ restive Imphal West district on Sunday as two persons, including a woman, were killed and nine others sustained injuries. (Representational Image)

Tensions resurfaced in Manipur’ restive Imphal West district on Sunday as two persons, including a woman, were killed and nine others sustained injuries when suspected militants launched a gun-and-bomb attack in Manipur's Imphal West district on Sunday.

According to police, militants fired indiscriminately from hilltop positions towards the low-lying valley areas of Koutruk and neighbouring Kadangband, killing two persons and injuring nine others. Several houses were also damaged due to heavy shelling by the militants, they added.

Of the nine injured, five sustained bullet wounds, while the others suffered splinter injuries from bomb explosions, hospital officials said.

In an unprecedented attack in Koutruk, Imphal West, alleged Kuki militants have 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
Manipur Police (@manipur_police) September 1, 2024

In a post on X, Manipur Police confirmed what eyewitnesses had reported earlier regarding the use of drones to drop bombs. The attacks were carried out using snipers and bombs dropped by drones, indicating an unprecedented escalation of threat to civilians and security forces in the violence-hit region, the police said.

“In an unprecedented attack in Koutruk, Imphal West, alleged Kuki militants have 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 post read.

The sudden assault on the unsuspecting village caused widespread panic, forcing many residents, including women, children, and the elderly, to flee to safer areas, police added.

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 post-mortem examination. The identity of the other victim is yet to be ascertained, police said.

Security forces, including state and central units, have been deployed in the area to stabilise the situation. The state government has strongly condemned the attack on unarmed villagers of Koutruk.

"The state government has learnt about the unfortunate incident of attack on unarmed Koutruk villagers using drone, bombs and sophisticated weapons reportedly by Kuki militants causing death of two persons including one women. Such act of terrorising 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," a statement by the Home Department said.

It added that such an act of creating havoc among unarmed villagers is seen as an attempt to derail the efforts taken by state government to establish peace in the state.

"The state government has already taken immediate action to control the situation and to punish those who were involved in the attack on Koutruk Village, Imphal West," the statement added.

Meanwhile, the DGP has instructed all SPs to remain on maximum alert in all fringe areas.

(With PTI Inputs)