Manipur: In Manipur’s Bishnupur district, a suspected militant attack claimed the lives of two CRPF personnel and left two others injured early this morning. Allegedly, a group of suspected Kuki militants initiated gunfire from a hillside in Naranseina village towards a central security force post in the valley area. The situation escalated when a bomb exploded within the outpost, inflicting severe injuries on four personnel. Despite immediate medical attention, two security personnel succumbed to their injuries, while the other two are currently receiving treatment.

Two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel lost their lives in an attack by Kuki militants starting from midnight till 2:15 am at Naransena area in Manipur. The personnel are from CRPF’s 128 Battalion deployed at Naransena area in Bishnupur district in the state: Manipur…

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— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2024

According to top police sources, this attack occurs just six days before the first anniversary of the onset of the Manipur crisis, indicating a potential uptick in militant activities in the region.

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The deceased, identified as CRPF sub-inspector N Sarkar and head constable Arup Saini from the CRPF’s 128 Battalion stationed at Naranseina, were tragically killed in the attack. The injured, inspector Jadav Das and constable Aftab Das, are currently under medical care. The assault reportedly began at midnight and lasted until approximately 2:15 am.

The attack transpired at an Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) camp where CRPF personnel were deployed following election duties in the state. Situated 2 kilometers away from the hills, the camp is adjacent to an area known as Upper Canal, historically designated as a sensitive region since violent outbreaks in Manipur last year.

Sources suggest that insurgents in the hills utilized a primitive artillery weapon known as a “pumpi gun” during the assault. A senior police officer revealed that militants indiscriminately fired upon the camp from hilltops, launching the attack around 12:30 am and persisting until approximately 2:15 am. Additionally, militants hurled bombs, one of which detonated within the outpost of the CRPF’s 128 battalion.

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Authorities have initiated a large-scale combing operation in the area to apprehend the attackers. This incident unfolds against the backdrop of previous confrontations between Meitei and Kuki-Zo armed groups in and around Naranseina, underscoring the volatile nature of the region’s dynamics.