After a brief lull, Kuki militants attacked Koutruk Ching Leikai and Kadangband Part-1 by dropping bombs from drones this time under Lamshang Police Station in Imphal West district, Manipur around 2 am on Sunday, resulting in the death of a woman and injuring 16 others including a child and a journalist.
A statement of the Home department said that the attack resulted in the death of two persons including the woman.
Hospital records report the death of only one woman. The government report did not mention any name.
As per reports from the spot, the Kuki militants deployed high-tech drones carrying bombs and targeted Koutruk Ching Leikai. The bomb exploded on the ground at a CRPF post. Following the drone strike, the militants advanced toward Koutruk Ching Leikai and began attacking the village.
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During the fierce attack, a mother and her daughter who had come to Koutruk Ching Leikai to visit her family were struck by bullets. The mother died at the scene, while the daughter sustained a shoulder injury. The sources further said that the two were kneeling on the ground when the bullets struck with the mother being hit in the head.
The deceased has been identified as Ningthoujam Ningol Ngangbam Ongbi Surbala, 31, wife of Ng Info of Phayeng Makha Leikai.
Sources further mentioned that the bomb launched by the Kuki militants also exploded in the kitchen of an IRB bunker stationed at Koutruk Ching Leikai, resulting in significant property damage.
Following the attack on Koutruk Ching Leikai, the militants moved on to Kadangband Part-1, injuring several others.
The drone strike also resulted in several houses catching fire at Koutruk Ching Leikai.
The state forces had recently directed village volunteers to evacuate Koutruk Ching Leikai, sources said. After realising that the village volunteers had left, the militants started launching four drones to carry out surveillance per day, and today marked the sixth consecutive day of such drone operations.
As many as 16 persons, including six females and 10 males, have been injured in the attack.
The injured persons are Inao Takhellambam, 26, (bullet injury) of Uripok Polem Leikai; Thadoi Heikrujam, 19, of Tharoijam (bullet injury) Ngasepam Robert, 27, of Awang Khunou Maning Leikai (Bullet injury); Nongmaithem Nongaleima, 35, of Phumlou Mamang Leikai (discharged); Sanabam Geeta, 38, of Phumlou and Yurenjam Inao, 57, of Phumlou; Ahanthem Sunita, 44, of Phumlou and Ngangbam Rojia Devi, 11, of Phayeng Mayai Leikai (bullet injury). Rojia is the daughter of Surbala who was killed in the attack.
Ngangom Bidyasagar, 17, of Kwakeithel Konjeng Leikai (splinter injury); Irom Roshan, 26, of Sagolband Moirang Hanuba (Splinter injury); Laishram Tondonba, 29, of Wangjing (splinter injury); Moirangthem Athouba, 29, of Khangabok (Splinter injury); Tourangbam Amarjit, 28, of Lamding Wangjing; Huidrom Roshin, 27 of Thoubal Leishangthem; Takhellambam Thoi, 25, of Wangjing were among the injured persons.
Elangbam Mushuk, video journalist of Impact TV also sustained a splinter injury on his right hand and is admitted at Shija Hospital.
A constable in Manipur police, Ngasepam Robert, 27, of Awang Khunou Maning Leikai was also injured by a bullet.
Notably, in an interview Chief Minister N Biren Singh had assured that peace will be restored in Manipur within six months.
Meanwhile, Kuki militants launched an attack on Pangaltabi, under Sekmai Police Station, around 5:50 pm. on Sunday, unleashing a barrage of bombs and gunfire from the Phailen.
State forces also retaliated to the attack and engaged in a fierce counterattack till the time of filing this report. However, no casualties have been reported yet.
