In a first Kuki militants take a leaf out of Myanmar militants and use weaponised drones to attack Kadangband and Koutruk
Woman killed in fresh attacks, 10 others injured in co-ordinated offensives
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 01 2024: One woman was killed while 10 others were injured in a full blown attack by Kuki militants at Kadangband and Koutruk from Bethel Kuki village, today.

And in a first, weaponised drones were used to drop over 50 bombs at the two Meetei villages.

Significantly the attack came just a day after Kuki-Zos staged a Nationwide rally demanding action against Chief Minister N Biren.

The fresh attack against the Meeteis in broad daylight using drones also came just a couple of days after Chief Minister N Biren Singh promised to fully restore peace in the State within six months.

In a first Kuki militants take a leaf out of Myanmar militants and use weaponised drones to attack Kadangband and Koutruk

In a clear indication that the attack was done coordinatedly, Kuki militants also fired upon and bombarded Sekmai Pangaltabi using drones at the same time when their peers were attacking the State security personnel and the locals at Koutruk and Kadangband.

Village volunteers and security personnel deployed at Sekmai Pangaltabi also retaliated and fired towards the Kuki militants.

There is no report of any injury on the side of security personnel and village volunteers at Sekmai Pangaltabi area.

Meanwhile, of the 10 injured at Koutruk and Kadangband, six are women.

The daughter of the deceased woman also got injured in the offensive by Kuki militants.

Apart from firing indiscriminately, the Kuki militants also deployed drones to bombard the two Meetei villages.

It is reported that some houses belonging to Meetei families have also been set ablaze by Kuki militants at Koutruk Ching Leikai in the night.

State police have rushed to Koutruk where the arson attack was carried out.

The locals said that Kuki militants carried out aerial surveillance of Koutruk and Kadangband using drones in the past few days.

They continued that a group of heavily armed Kuki militants bombarded the two Meetei villages suddenly and simultaneously using drones today at around 2 pm.

After the bombing, the Kuki militants fired indiscriminately towards Koutruk and Kadangband, killing one woman at the spot.

The deceased has been identified as Angom Surbala (35) w/o Ingo of Phayeng Mayai Leikai and she was visiting her parents at Koutruk Ching Leikai.

Angom Mimicha @ Rojia, daughter of the deceased woman also sustained bullet injuries on her hand and she was taken to RIMS hospital for treatment.

From RIMS Hospital, she has been referred to Raj Medicity.

It is reported that Kuki militants used over four drones to drop bombs at Kadangband and Koutruk.

Apart from destroying a bunker and a kitchen of the security force set up in the area, one village volunteer was killed in the bombing.

His identity, however, could not be confirmed.

The heavy bomb attack also targeted the escort party of DIG Range-I, injuring one personnel on the leg.

The injured personnel has been identified as Ngasepam Robert (27), s/o Brojen of Awang Khunou Leikai and he is undergoing treatment at Raj Medicity.

Four other women were also injured in the offensive by Kuki militants and all of them are undergoing treatment at Raj Medicity.

As per the locals, Central security personnel deployed at Koutruk Ching Leikai didn't do anything to stop the onslaught of Kuki militants on the mere ground that they didn't get any order from the higher ups.

They said that the Central security personnel took photos and captured videos of the attack by Kuki militants instead of driving away the attackers.

Without any assistance from the Central force, the village volunteers and State security personnel exchanged fire with the Kuki militants at Koutruk and Kadangband.

A reinforcement team of State security force also rushed to the area and joined the firefight.

It is further reported that Kuki militants continued to bombard and fired upon the security personnel till late in the evening.

Elangbam Musuk, a reporter of a local TV channel also sustained splinter injuries on his leg and hand while covering the incident at Koutruk Ching Leikai.

He was evacuated by police from the site and later taken to SHIJA Hospital for treatment in an ambulance Villagers of Koutruk Ching Leikai were taken to safer places during the attack.

Meanwhile, a large number of people came out along the road stretch from Uripok Kangchup to Koutruk and diverted the vehicles plying along the road to another route to give free passage to the emergency service providers.