The 8th IRB post at Meikhan Hill under Sagolmang Police Station in Imphal East came under drone strikes and incessant shelling around 3.30 pm on Monday, following which Kuki militants decamped from the post with arms.
Sinam villagers reported hearing gunshots from 3.30 am to 6.30 am. They also heard the explosion of at least three bombs, as per sources. Additional forces were sent in after receiving reports of the attack.
The combined attack of drone strikes and shelling on the IRB post made the IRB personnel leave the post and move into the forest areas for a few hours. The Kuki militants took the opportunity in the absence of the state forces and took one INSAS, one AK, and INSAS LMG from the post.
The IRB personnel took positions from the forest and retaliated to the attack, resulting in an exchange with the Kuki militants. The state forces have now regained control of the IRB post after additional forces led by SP (law and order) A Pramesh and OC Sagolmang were sent in.
Meanwhile, enraged womenfolk of Sagolmang area stormed the Assam Rifles post around 3 pm, protesting against the shelling by Kuki militants.
The women protestors alleged the Assam Rifles of letting the Kuki militants launch the attack after assuring the locals earlier that they will not allow such attacks.
