Two persons sustained injuries as Kuki militants continued with drone strikes at the fringe areas of the valley on Monday, a day after a woman was killed and 16 persons were left severely injured in an unprecedented drone strike at Koutruk village in Imphal West, Manipur.
Kuki militants launched another drone strike at Senjam Chirang in Imphal West around 6. 20 pm, dropping three bombs on the civilian population of the area.
A bomb struck the roof of one Watham Gambhir, 65, at Senjam Chirang Maning Leikai; another fell on the alley beside his house while the third bomb exploded near a river bank.
Watham Gambhir’s daughter, Sanatombi, 23, was struck by a splinter on her stomach. She has been rushed and admitted to Raj Medicity. Sanatombi was referred to Shija Hospital at 7.40 pm.
ALSO READ: Manipur Violence: One dead, 16 injured in Kuki attack
Gambhir’s younger brother, Jotin, 56, also sustained minor injury on his shoulder by the blast. He was given first-aid at the dispensary of Senjam Chirang and discharged.
The relative calm in Manipur for the past 4-5 months was rudely disrupted on Sunday when Kuki militants attacked Koutruk Ching Leikai and Kadangband Part-1 by dropping bombs from drones, resulting in the death of a woman and injuring 16 others including a child and a journalist.
Koutruk village located at Imphal West had been continually attacked by Kuki militants since the beginning of the crisis which erupted on May 3, 2023.
The latest attack using drones warfare, which is extensively being used by rebel forces in the Myanmar conflict, may strongly indicate that the Kuki militants are either getting technical support and training from Myanmar militants or they are directly involved in the Manipur crisis.
ALSO READ: This is no Ukraine, this is Manipur: MP Bimol Akoijam
Manipur police released a statement on Sunday regarding the Koutruk attack.
‘In an unprecedented attack in Koutruk, Imphal West, alleged Kuki militants have deployed numerous RPGs using high-tech drones. While drone bombs have commonly been used in general warfares, this recent deployment of drones to deploy explosives against security forces and the civilians marks a significant escalation. The involvement of highly trained professionals, possibly with technical expertise and support, cannot be ruled out. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and the police are prepared to respond to any contingency that may arise,’ the police release stated.
