Early morning assault in Bishnupur district leads to fatalities and injuries among security personnel
In a tragic development early today, two personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed in an insurgent attack in Manipur’s Bishnupur district. The assault, which began shortly after midnight, involved suspected Kuki insurgents who fired upon a security outpost from a hillside in Naranseina village. This violent encounter also left two other personnel seriously injured.
The insurgents reportedly utilized a combination of gunfire and explosive devices in their attack. The situation intensified when a bomb detonated within the CRPF camp, leading to severe injuries among the stationed personnel. Despite immediate medical intervention, two officers succumbed to their injuries, while the others are currently receiving treatment in a nearby facility.
The deceased were identified as CRPF Sub-Inspector N Sarkar and Head Constable Arup Saini of the 128 Battalion. The injured personnel included Inspector Jadav Das and Constable Aftab Das. This attack occurred at an Indian Reserve Battalion camp located approximately two kilometres from the hills, an area recently marked as sensitive due to ongoing violence in the region since last May.
In response to the attack, a massive combing operation has been initiated to locate and apprehend the attackers. This incident has raised concerns about the escalation of violence in Manipur, where there have been frequent clashes between Meitei and Kuki-Zo armed groups, especially since the violence escalated in August and September 2023.
The attack’s timing is particularly poignant, occurring just days before the first anniversary of the Manipur crisis, suggesting a potential increase in militant activities in the coming days. The region, divided between the valley primarily inhabited by the Meitei community and the hills home to the Kuki people, continues to see tensions that frequently erupt into violence.
As the local community and security forces brace for potential further disturbances, national attention is once again drawn to the ongoing security challenges in Manipur, highlighting the complexities of peacekeeping in the area
