Imphal: At least two Assam Rifles personnel were killed and several others injured in an ambush by armed militants in the Bishnupur district of Manipur on Friday evening.
The incident occurred around 5:50 pm at Sabal Leikai Nambol in the Nambol police station area, when a convoy carrying 33 Assam Rifles personnel was on its way from Imphal to Bishnupur.
Some civilians were also injured in the ambush. All of them have been rushed to nearby hospitals. Some of them are in serious condition. The condition of one Assam Rifles jawan is critical, an official said.
Forces have been rushed to the spot and a search and cordon operation has been launched.
This is the first time that security forces have been directly targeted in the ethnic conflict in the state that has lasted more than two years, claiming over 250 lives.
Security forces, including the Assam Rifles, are presently engaged in search and seizure operations across the state. A large number of weapons have been seized and several cadres of militant outfits arrested in these operations.
Chief minister N Biren Singh has expressed shock at the ambush, calling it a cruel blow.
In November 2021, Col Viplav Tripathi, officiating CO of the 46 Assam Rifles, his wife Anuja, six-year-old son Abir and four other Assam Rifles personnel were killed in an ambush in the state.
