A team of bomb disposal squad failed to collect an unexploded 51 mm mortar bomb at Koutruk Ching Leikai under Lamshang Police Station in Imphal West after Kuki militants opened fire at the team on Wednesday.
The unexploded mortar bomb was fired earlier by Kuki militants. The team attempted to retrieve the bomb around 5.30 pm but aborted the mission after facing gunfire from Kuki militants. The team might try to retrieve the bomb later, sources said.
Meanwhile, Kuki militants from atop the Haraothel hill opened fire at a team of combined forces, which was carrying out combing operations at Koutruk under Lamshang Police Station in Imphal West, forcing the team to disperse and take cover among the Meitei houses.
As per sources, the combined team of Imphal West District Police, Assam Rifles and CRPF arrived and launched the combing operation around 6.50 am at Koutruk Makha Leikai, Awang Leikai and Ching Leikai.
While the combined team was carrying out search operations by entering into each house, the Kuki militants fired a single round around 7.15 am from the Haraothel hill.
The personnel of the combined force immediately dispersed among the houses and took positions. However, no gunfire was returned towards the Kuki militants, sources said. The operation ended around 8.40 am and there were no reports or arrests.
