Attack with rocket grenade, bomb-gun and drone… In response, Manipur Police conducted search operation against the militants

Manipur Police conducts search operation in border areas: The Manipur government has ordered the state police to launch a search operation and a drive to eliminate terrorists in areas bordering Imphal West district. This is the same area where two people were killed and nine injured in an attack by suspected militants.

In fact, Commissioner (Home) N Ashok Kumar had asked the state Director General of Police to take steps to arrest those involved in the gun and bomb attack on Sunday and to increase surveillance in the area to avoid any untoward incident.

In a letter to the DGP, the commissioner said, ‘In view of the recent incidents disturbing the general law and order situation in the border areas bordering Imphal West District and the need to keep preventive measures in place, I request you to please take necessary action to conduct search and clearing operations in the border areas bordering Imphal West District, particularly from Keithelmanbi to Kotruk.’

The area between Kithelmanbi in Kangpokpi district and Kotruk in Imphal West is about 32 km long and has been the focus of frequent attacks since ethnic violence broke out in May last year. According to police, militants opened indiscriminate fire from hilltops in the lower valley areas of Kotruk and neighbouring Kadangband on Sunday, killing two people and injuring nine others.

Several houses were also damaged in the attack. Police claimed that rocket-propelled grenades and drones were used in the attack. An official statement about the gun and bomb attack said, ‘In an unprecedented attack in Kotruk, Imphal West, alleged terrorists have deployed several RPGs using high-tech drones.’

The statement further said the use of drones to deploy explosives against security forces and civilians “represents a significant escalation”. The involvement of highly trained professionals, possibly with technical expertise and support, cannot be ruled out, it said.

Drones have been used by two rival groups in Manipur for surveillance and identification of militant movements, an official told PTI. The use of explosives through drones to target civilians and security forces in Kautruk on Sunday is new in the state.

Police sources said that at least five bombs were dropped from drones in Kautruk village. More than 200 people have been killed and thousands have become homeless in ethnic violence in Manipur.