IT News
Imphal, Sept 6:
In a pre-dawn attack today, armed Kuki militants launched a rocket strike in Tronglaobi, Bishnupur district, causing widespread damage. The attack, which occurred around 4:30 a.m., destroyed two structures. A 72-year-old man, R.K. Rabei Singh of Moirang Phiwangbam Leikai, was killed in the blast while three others, including a 13-year-old girl, sustained serious injuries.
According to police reports, rockets were fired from elevated positions in the Churachandpur district towards the low-lying residential area of Tronglaobi, approximately 45 kilometers from Imphal. The range of the rockets was estimated to be over 3 km. The attack also damaged a community hall, an empty room, and a toilet.
Police confirmed that suspected insurgents fired several rounds from the hills towards Bishnupur district, prompting security forces to retaliate. Churachandpur, a Kuki-dominated area, borders the Meitei-majority Bishnupur district, and tensions between the two communities have been high.
In a miraculous escape, one individual survived the blast after returning to retrieve food items before heading to the toilet, narrowly missing the explosion.
This attack follows a series of violent incidents in Manipur. On Sunday, two people were killed, and nine others, including a 12-year-old girl, were injured in drone and sniper attacks by suspected Kuki insurgents. The girl, the daughter of one of the victims, was shot in the head, and further drone attacks occurred in Senjam Chirang on Monday, injuring three more people.
Top intelligence sources have confirmed the use of weaponized drones and long-range sniper rifles, marking the first recorded use of drones to drop bombs on civilians by Kuki militants in India.
