5 hurt in gun battle with Kuki militants
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 27 2024: At least five village volunteers sustained injuries during an attack by Kuki militants from Khamenlok hill range today while one of the attackers got killed in retaliatory firing.

It is said that the village volunteers are in stable conditions.

Reportedly, the Kuki militants bombarded and rained bullets on the nearby Meitei villages from Kha-menlok hill range from around 5 in the morning using heavy and sophisticated weapons.

Five volunteers guarding Meitei villages got injured in the attack while one Kuki militant was gunned down during the exchange of fire.

The slain Kuki militant has been identified as Tilminlun Khongsai (26) from Ng Phainom village.

5 hurt in gun battle with Kuki militants

Unofficial sources however said that the figure of casualties on the side of Kuki militants could be higher.

According to reliable information, the incident took place in the periphery areas of Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts.

Soon after the attack, volunteers guarding Meitei villages retaliated following which a heavy exchange of fire ensued.

In the exchange of fire, one village volunteer sustained minor splinter injury on his right cheek and was evacuated to RIMS Hospital while another volunteer got injured on his leg and he was given first aid at the spot.

The person who got injured on the face has been discharged from RIMS.

The village volunteers managed to push the Kuki militants further deep inside Khamenlok hill range and destroyed at least four bunkers set up by them (the Kuki militants) .

Sources continued that the village volunteers were ambushed by some Kuki militants on their way back by firing indiscriminately and shelling bombs on them.

Two more village volunteers got injured in the ambush, one on his right hand and the other on his back.

They could not be evacuated from the spot instantly due to the heavy firing by Kuki militants and as the road was narrow.

After some hours, the two injured were taken to S hija Hospitals and they are still undergoing treatment.

Reportedly, the condition of the village volunteer who got injured on his back is somewhat serious.

One more village volunteer sustained multiple bullet injuries at around 3 pm during an indiscriminate firing by Kuki militants.

He got injured on his left leg, right thigh and on right hand.

He is undergoing treatment at Raj Medicity.

Sources continued that the area where the firing took place is still tense and another round of a gunfight may break out anytime though tight security measures have been taken up.

During the gunfight, a large number of womenfolk came out on the streets at different places to ensure free passage of the vehicle carrying the injured.

The conflict in Manipur since May 3, 2023 has killed over 180 persons and displaced more than 60,000 people belonging to Meitei and Kuki communities.