Manipur militant ambush kills Bengal truck driver on NH-2 in Ukhrul
Synopsis
A West Bengal truck driver was shot dead and a Manipur Police constable injured when suspected Kuki militants ambushed a security-escorted goods convoy on NH-2 in Ukhrul district — the latest in a string of attacks on civilian supply lines that have choked essential goods movement in conflict-hit Manipur since May 2023.
Key Takeaways
Nitish Kumar ( 57 ), a truck driver from Hooghly district, West Bengal , was killed in the militant ambush on 29 May in Ukhrul district, Manipur .
Suspected Kuki militants fired from hilltops near Litan Bazar and T.M.
Kasom village on a convoy moving along NH-2 .
Manipur Police constable Disingam Maringmei ( 35 ) sustained a bullet injury to his knee during the encounter.
A joint BSF , CRPF , RAF , and district police team had escorted 15–20 trucks and cleared a highway blockade earlier that morning.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh condemned the attack and confirmed search and cordon operations are under way to nab the culprits.
A truck driver from West Bengal was killed and a Manipur Police constable injured after suspected militants ambushed a convoy of goods-laden vehicles on National Highway-2 in Ukhrul district, Manipur, on Friday, 29 May, officials said. The attack has heightened tensions in an already volatile region still gripped by prolonged ethnic unrest.
How the Ambush Unfolded
The convoy, comprising 15 to 20 commercial trucks, was moving along the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2) under security escort when suspected Kuki militants opened heavy fire from hilltops overlooking Litan Bazar and T.M. Kasom village. The truck driver, identified as Nitish Kumar (57), a resident of Hooghly district in West Bengal, was struck by bullets and killed. Manipur Police constable Disingam Maringmei (35) sustained a bullet injury to his knee during the exchange of fire. Security forces retaliated, leading to a brief encounter with the attackers.
Security Forces Had Cleared Blockades Earlier That Morning
Prior to the ambush, a joint team comprising the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Rapid Action Force (RAF) of Manipur Police, and district police had escorted the stranded trucks from between Yaingangpokpi and Mahadev, also clearing a blockade at Shangkai Kuki village along the national highway. The attack came despite this security deployment, underscoring the persistent threat to supply routes in the region.
Chief Minister Condemns the Attack
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh condemned the incident in the strongest terms. An official statement from the Chief Minister's Secretariat described the perpetrators as 'unknown armed miscreants' and expressed condolences over the death of the West Bengal driver. Singh called the act 'one of the most cowardly' and said it was intended to 'further aggravate the tense situation prevailing in the area.' He added that the ambush appeared to have been carried out by 'vested interest groups with ill motives aimed at derailing the initiatives of the state government to restore peace and normalcy.' Singh also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured constable and confirmed that search and cordon operations are under way to apprehend those responsible.
Situation Remains Tense
The Litan and T.M. Kasom areas remain on edge following the attack, with locals reportedly in a state of panic. This incident is the latest in a series of violent disruptions to civilian supply lines in Manipur, where ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities has persisted since May 2023. Attacks on goods vehicles along NH-2 have been a recurring tactic used to choke essential supplies to communities across the state. Search operations are ongoing in the surrounding areas.
Point of View
Effectively neutralising the deterrence value of escort operations. The killing of a migrant worker from West Bengal adds a dimension that extends the political fallout beyond Manipur's borders. More critically, repeated disruptions to NH-2 are a form of economic warfare: choking supply lines starves communities and sustains leverage. Until the state can guarantee safe passage for civilian transport, every escorted convoy is also a test of governmental authority — and Friday's ambush suggests that test is being failed.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was killed in the Manipur militant ambush on 29 May?
Nitish Kumar, a 57-year-old truck driver from Hooghly district in West Bengal, was killed after suspected militants opened fire on a goods convoy on NH-2 in Ukhrul district, Manipur, on 29 May. He was struck by bullets fired from hilltops near Litan Bazar.
Where exactly did the Manipur ambush take place?
The ambush occurred along the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2) near Litan Bazar and T.M. Kasom village in Ukhrul district, Manipur. The firing reportedly originated from hilltop positions overlooking the highway.
Who was injured in the Ukhrul district attack?
Manipur Police constable Disingam Maringmei, 35, sustained a bullet injury to his knee during the exchange of fire between security forces and the suspected militants. He was part of the security escort accompanying the convoy.
What has the Manipur government said about the attack?
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh condemned the ambush in the strongest terms, calling it 'one of the most cowardly acts.' He said it appeared to be carried out by vested interest groups seeking to derail peace efforts, and confirmed that search and cordon operations are under way to apprehend those responsible.
Why are goods convoys on NH-2 in Manipur frequently targeted?
NH-2, the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway, is a critical supply artery for Manipur. Since ethnic conflict erupted in May 2023, armed groups have repeatedly targeted civilian vehicles and blockaded the highway as a tactic to disrupt essential supplies. Security forces have been escorting convoys, but attacks have continued.
