Imphal, Jan 5 (NationPress) At least two individuals, including a woman, sustained injuries due to two sequential explosions in Manipur's Bishnupur district on Monday, as reported by officials.

A police representative in Imphal indicated that the initial blast, believed to have been caused by a locally assembled Improvised Explosive Device (IED), took place in an unoccupied residence at Ngaukon village under the jurisdiction of the Phougakchao police station.

The inhabitants of the deserted house have been residing in a relief camp following the onset of ethnic violence in Manipur in May 2023.

The police official further stated that the second explosion occurred approximately 200 meters from the first, as villagers congregated at the location after hearing about the initial blast.

The two injured individuals, identified as Sanatomba Singh and Indubala Devi, were transported to a government hospital, with authorities reporting that their injuries are not life-threatening. Following the explosions, security forces, led by senior police officials, initiated a combing operation to apprehend those accountable for the IED detonations.

An angry mob subsequently vandalized a temporary security bunker nearby, alleging that the security forces failed to avert the blasts and to detain those responsible for the incident.

In the meantime, security forces conducted joint operations over the past 24 hours, apprehending five militants from various outlawed groups across three districts: Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Imphal West, while also seizing arms and ammunition.

The detained militants were affiliated with the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) and the People's Liberation Army (PLA), along with its associated faction, the Revolutionary People's Front (RPF).

Police have reported that the captured militants were involved in the coercive collection of funds from contractors, government employees, local residents, and merchants.

In additional joint operations, security forces recovered various arms and ammunition in Imphal East and Churachandpur districts. The items recovered included one Self-Loading Rifle, a sniper rifle equipped with a telescopic daylight scope, a single-barrel gun, two 9mm pistols with magazines, two .32 pistols with magazines, and two homemade SBBL guns.

Alongside these weapons, a substantial cache of ammunition—approximately 100 kg of explosives, grenades, wireless communication devices, and other materials—was also retrieved.

Security forces, comprising both central and state agencies, are engaged in comprehensive crackdowns against militants, conducting search operations and area domination efforts in fringe, mixed-population, and vulnerable regions across various districts.

A total of 111 checkpoints have been established throughout Manipur in both valley and hill districts to prevent the illegal movement of hostile elements and suspicious vehicles. Furthermore, security forces are providing escorts for vehicles, including trucks transporting essential goods, along the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37).

Strict security protocols and convoy protection measures remain in effect in sensitive areas to assure the safe transit of vehicles.