What Happened to the Two Jawans in Manipur?

Imphal, Sep 19 (NationPress) Tragically, two personnel from the Assam Rifles, including a Naib-Subedar, lost their lives and five others sustained injuries when an unidentified group of armed militants launched an assault on a paramilitary vehicle in the Bishnupur district of Manipur on Friday evening, according to officials.

A police representative in Imphal reported that the ambush occurred along the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2) in the Nambol Sabal Leikai area of Bishnupur.

A defense spokesperson noted that a unit of the 33 Assam Rifles was en route from its Patsoi Company Operating Base to Nambol Company Operating Base when they were attacked by unidentified terrorists in the vicinity of Nambol Sabal Leikai. As a result of the ambush, two Assam Rifles personnel were killed, while five others were injured and have since been transported to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal, where they are reported to be stable.

The deceased Assam Rifles jawans have been identified as Naib-Subedar Shyam Gurung and Rifleman Ranjit Singh Kashyap. Currently, no group has taken responsibility for this heinous act.

Assam Rifles Director General Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera expressed his condolences following the deaths. In a statement posted on the Assam Rifles X handle, he remarked: “Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera, AVSM, SM, Director General Assam Rifles, along with all ranks, pays heartfelt tribute to Nb Sub Shyam Gurung and Rfn Ranjit Singh Kashyap, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty in Manipur today, and extends deep condolences to the families of our brave soldiers.”

Extensive search operations are currently underway to locate the terrorists involved, according to the defense spokesperson.

Earlier, a police official indicated that a group of heavily armed assailants ambushed the vehicle transporting Assam Rifles personnel traveling from Imphal towards Bishnupur district, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers and injuries to five others. Following the incident, a significant number of Assam Rifles and Manipur Police forces, led by senior officials, swiftly responded to the area, initiating a comprehensive combing operation to capture the attackers.

Another police representative stated that the heavily armed assailants opened fire on the vehicle carrying Assam Rifles personnel. In the sudden attack, two personnel were killed instantly, while five others suffered bullet wounds.

Security forces have cordoned off the area, and ongoing search operations aim to track down the attackers.

In a related note, security forces captured six militants linked to various banned organizations across three Imphal Valley districts in the last 24 hours. Three core members of the outlawed Kangleipak Communist Party (PWG) were apprehended from their homes in Imphal West district, identified as Leishangthem Tondon Singh, 34, Leishangthem Anand Singh, 34, and Heikham Hemchandra Singh, 41, as per police reports.

Authorities seized two Self-Loading Rifles, two modified .303 rifles, an INSAS rifle, nine magazines of various 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. Additionally, an active member of the banned People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) was apprehended in Ichan Khunou, Thoubal district.

Police also arrested an active cadre of the prohibited 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.