Heavy firing continued intermittently at Naranseina Maning Leikai under Moirang Police Station in Bishnupur district for the second day on Wednesday, injuring two IRB personnel and four village volunteers, sources said.
According to the sources, the unprovoked firing by suspected Kuki militants at the village erupted early Tuesday, in which the state forces and village volunteers resorted to retaliatory firing, resulting in casualties and injuries on both sides.
The sources said that suspected Kuki militants reportedly opened unprovoked firing and hurled bombs towards the 2nd IRB Battalion headquarters at Naranseina Maning area around 5 am.
Following this, the IRB personnel retaliated in response to the attack by the Kuki Militants from Khoirentak and Leingantangbi areas, leading to a heavy exchange of fire.
Using automatic weapons, the IRB personnel managed to destroy five bunkers set up by the Kuki militants during the retaliatory firing.
The Kuki militants were forced to flee the bunkers and run towards the low canal area, from where they continued the gun attack towards the IRB, sources said.
The gunfire exchange continued till late evening as per reports last received on Wednesday.
There are unconfirmed reports of around 8 Kuki militants being killed and several injured in the retaliatory fire, though it could not be independently confirmed.
The 2nd IRB personnel who sustained injuries in Wednesday’s attack are 2nd IRB Rifleman Salam Bobin Singh, 38 years, son of late Salam Norendro Singh from Naranseina Maning Leikai and Jemadar of 2nd IRB, L Deben Singh, son of L. Angouba Singh from Khudekpi Mamang Leikai.
Bobin sustained splinter injuries in his right heel, while Deben got splinter injuries in his big toe and index toe. They both have been evacuated to CHC Moirang.
The injured village volunteers are Oinam Iboyaima, 34 years, son of Oinam Tomba from Nongchup Kameng; Tongbram Chingkhei, 29 years, son of T Dharmendra from Patsoi Part-2 under Patsoi Police station in Imphal West district; Khomdram Avinash, 21 years, son of K Ibotomba from Yairipok Khoirom under Yairipok Police station in Thoubal district and Loitongbam Gunindro, 33 years, son of L Tomba and adopted by Maibam Birendra from Kiyamgei Machin, currently residing at Wangoo Tera Awang Leikai.
They all have been admitted to Raj Medicity.
Meanwhile, a Kuki militant suspected to be injured in Wednesday's shooting was also brought to Churachandpur District Hospital. He has been identified as David Manglam, 34 years, son of late Lhungthang from Khoirentak village, Churachandpur. He sustained a splinter injury on his left shoulder.
The Naranseina incident did not find a mention in the police control room statement issued Wednesday.
However, it said search operations in Kangpokpi, Thoubal, Churachandpur and Imphal West districts by security forces led to the recovery of 5 arms, 31 rounds of ammunition, 19 explosives, 3 packs of IED material and 10 metres of Cordex.
