What Happened to the Two Assam Rifles Jawans in Manipur?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Two Assam Rifles jawans were killed in an ambush in Manipur.
- Five others were injured and are currently stable post-treatment.
- No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
- Extensive search operations are ongoing to apprehend the attackers.
- Six militants from different banned outfits were arrested in the region.
Imphal, Sep 19 (NationPress) Tragically, two Assam Rifles jawans lost their lives, and five others sustained injuries during an attack by a group of unidentified armed militants on a paramilitary vehicle in the Bishnupur district of Manipur on Friday evening, according to officials.
A police spokesperson in Imphal revealed that the incident unfolded in the Nambol Sabal Leikai area of Bishnupur district.
A defence spokesperson elaborated that a contingent of 33 Assam Rifles was transitioning from its Patsoi Company Operating Base to Nambol Company Operating Base when it fell victim to an ambush by unidentified assailants on the highway in the denotified region of Manipur.
During the confrontation, two Assam Rifles personnel were martyred and five others were injured. They have since been transported to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal, where their condition is currently stable.
As of now, no group has stepped forward to claim responsibility for the assault.
Extensive search operations are actively being conducted to capture the militants involved, as confirmed by the defence spokesperson.
A police official reported that heavily armed assailants ambushed the vehicle transporting Assam Rifles personnel from Imphal towards Bishnupur district, resulting in the death of two jawans and injuring five others.
Following the attack, a large contingent of Assam Rifles and Manipur Police, led by senior officials, swiftly mobilized to the scene and initiated extensive combing operations to apprehend the perpetrators.
Another police official stated that the well-armed attackers opened fire on the vehicle carrying Assam Rifles personnel, leading to the immediate deaths of two members while five others received bullet wounds.
Security forces have cordoned off the area, and a search operation is currently underway to locate the attackers.
Additional details are forthcoming.
In the meantime, security forces have apprehended six militants associated with various banned groups across three districts in the Imphal Valley over the past 24 hours.
Three members of the outlawed Kangleipak Communist Party (PWG) were arrested from their homes in Imphal West district. They were identified as Leishangthem Tondon Singh, 34, Leishangthem Anand Singh, 34, and Heikham Hemchandra Singh, 41, according to a police statement. Authorities seized two Self-Loading Rifles, two modified .303 rifles, an INSAS rifle, nine magazines of different types, and 99 cartridges from their possession.
Another member of the same group was arrested in Andro, Imphal East district, identified as Taorem Tomchou Meitei alias Pena, 45.
An active member of the outlawed People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) was apprehended in Ichan Khunou, Thoubal district. Police also arrested an active member of the banned Socialist Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (SOREPA) from Samaram Mayai Leikai in Thoubal district, identified as Khoinaijam Bhumeshwor Singh, 24. A dummy gun and three cartridges were recovered from his possession.