Armed militants launched an attack on Manipur police in Phaitol village, Tamenglong district a few hours before the arrival of Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi in the state on Monday.
The attack was launched while the police, along with the Manipur Fire Service was attempting to extinguish a fire at the said village. During a subsequent search operation, central forces apprehended two suspects from the area, along with their weapons.
According to Jiribam District Police, they received information around 3 am on Monday that a police outpost in Phaitol village had been set on fire by unknown miscreants. Acting on this information, district police and a fire tender rushed to the scene. However, armed militants who were already stationed in the village opened fire on the state forces. The state forces retaliated from inside their armored vehicle.
The exchange of gunfire, which included the use of lathode bombs by the militants, continued for several minutes.
Phaitol village in Tamenglong district borders Jiribam’s Gularthol village, approximately 6-7 kilometers from Jiribam police station. A combined team of 39 Assam Rifles (AR) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) also rushed to the spot and conducted a search operation in the area.
Social media reports and videos showed some Kuki women attempting to prevent the central forces from continuing the search operation, but the forces overpowered them and proceeded with their operation.
Police reported that the firing ceased around 5 am, and the combined central forces apprehended two suspects from Phaiton village, seizing weapons.
The suspects were handed over to Tamenglong district police for further verification. No casualties were reported, though the front mirror of the fire tender was damaged.
The team also seized one Rifle .303 (Local made), two Single Barrel Rifle, one 12-Bore local made Rifle, two .32mm pistol (country made) along with two magazines, seven Pompi Bomb, five Handmade explosive bomb, five vial Gun powder, five Detonators, 23 12-bore empty cartridges, five meters Safety fuse wire, two Rifle sling, six Walkie talkie Charger, three BP Jackets, two Iron Plate (BP), two Combat dress, one pair Hunting Shoes, two pairs Jungle boot, one Pompy gun (loaded), one Motorola Walkie Talkie, two Helmets, two Catapult, two Torch light, six Mobile charger, 01 (one) Waist belt, one P-cap, one Extension cord, one Switch Board, one Laptop with one Mouse, three Smart Phone, one Key pad phone, one Power Bank, 247 live round ammunitions, Rs 200 note and 50 pieces of Metal splinter from Phaitol village, Tamenglong district.
Meanwhile, security forces arrested two persons along with 3 single barrel guns and they were handed over to Tamenglong district, it said. Among the two arrested persons one is stated to be a juvenile from Phaitol village, while the other one has been identified as Kaplal Singson, 35 years, son of Thangkhosem from Phaitol village, Tamenglong district, it mentioned.
