State on high alert over influx of 900 trained Kuki militants
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 20 2024: A high alert has been issued across the state following confirmation of reports that approximately 900 newly trained Kuki militants have entered the state from Myanmar, posing a significant threat to security.

These militants are reported to have been trained in the use of advanced weaponry, including drone-based bombs, projectiles, missiles, and jungle warfare tactics.

Addressing the media at the chief minister's secretariat on Friday, security advisor to the Government of Manipur Kuldiep Singh addressed the media confirming influx of militants and outlining the measures being taken to counter the emerging threat.

Kuldiep revealed that these militants, trained across the border, are likely operating in groups of 30 and are scattered around the periphery of the state, planning potential coordinated attacks on Meetei villages.

Intelligence reports suggest these attacks may take place around September 28 .

He emphasised that the government is fully aware of the situation and has instructed security agencies to remain vigilant and take pre-emptive action to prevent any violence.

The security advisor acknowledged the recent aerial attacks, including drone bombing in Koutruk area and rocket attack at Moirang, which have heightened tensions in the valley region.

These incidents, he noted, have triggered unrest in the valley, though security forces were able to regain control of the situation in time.

He reassured the public that the state is taking adequate measures to counter these militants and restore order while urging the public to maintain calm.

In a high-level meeting of the Strategic Operation Group (SOG) held on September 18, chaired by him (Kuldiep Singh), senior officials from the state police, the home department, Assam Rifles - IGAR (S) & IGAR (E) - GOC of 57 Mountain Division, CRPF, BSF, and other security agencies discussed strategies to address the threat posed by the militants.

As part of these efforts, security forces will closely monitor activities such as food hoarding, transportation management, and other suspicious activities that could indicate the presence of these militant groups.

If such signs are observed, operations will be launched in those areas to neutralise the threat.

Kuldiep Singh further disclosed that security agencies have been instructed to intensify their efforts and prioritise seizing of advanced weaponry, including drones, rockets, and raw materials used to assemble such weapons.

With the escalation in drone-based attacks, security operations will now also target the transportation and assembly of these devices.

To enhance security, extra measures have been implemented within a 5 km radius of the areas adjoining the hills and valleys, where the militants set up their attack bases.

Village chiefs and civil society organisations are being engaged to ensure cooperation with security forces, he maintained while informing that state and central security forces have been given strict instruction to be vigilant and do the needful promptly.

Additionally, district administrations have been directed to conduct regular checks on individuals or entities holding explosive licenses, particularly in areas where explosive materials are used for infrastructure projects such as railway tunnel construction.

This is to prevent the misuse of such materials by militant groups, he said.

The security advisor also highlighted that since the violence erupted on May 3, 2023, security forces have dismantled 468 bunkers across the state.

These operations are ongoing, with arms, ammunition, explosive devices, raw materials and military gears being seized periodically.

When questioned about the disparity in arms recovery between the hills and valleys, he explained that larger number of looted arms and better connectivity in the valley areas facilitate swifter operations, while militants in the hilly regions use the terrain to their advantage, allowing them to spot security forces from afar and flee before the security forces could reach them.

Responding to the rising use of drone warfare, he informed that anti-drone guns have already been deployed by the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and CRPF in Manipur.

Efforts are also underway to implement anti-drone detection, and apprehension & spoofing systems in vulnerable areas.

However, he noted that deploying such systems requires careful coordination with air traffic control to avoid disruptions to civil aviation.

So far, security forces have successfully jammed 17 drones and spoofed one.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for using these defensive mechanisms are also being drafted to prevent inconvenience to the public.

Kuldiep Singh further revealed that the Koutruk drone bombing case has been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for a more thorough investigation.

He explained that the state police lack the technical expertise and equipment to investigate advanced weaponry like drones and missiles.

Additionally, since the attacks originated from hill areas, NIA is better suited to track down and bring the perpetrators to justice, he reasoned.

The Koutruk drone attack that killed a woman and injured 11 others occurred earlier in September.

It is said that the NIA has requested the Manipur police department to hand over all relevant documents and evidence related to the case.

As the case has been taken up, the NIA also filed an application before the Special Court of NIA to direct the Manipur police department to hand over the related documents, case diaries and seized materials under different sections of law.

Significantly, in the aftermath of the drone bomb attacks, one drone was recovered by the security forces from Kharam Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district.

After the September 6 rocket attack at Moirang, 26 weapons were recovered from hill areas during massive operations, the security advisor said.

On the drone bomb attack at Koutruk of September 2, he said, "The case has been handed over to the NIA.

Drones have not been used earlier for dropping bombs.

We don't have much technology in Manipur.

Central agencies have better facilities at their disposal to identify and investigate on it".

The militants who used those drones were arrested, he said.

A total of 533 individuals involved in violence have been arrested till date and a large number of them were from outside the state, Kuldiep disclosed.

In response to another query, he said that 60,000 soldiers are maintaining peace in the state.

"Pompi guns and unfired rockets are also being recovered.

But we have not been able to reach the places where those are being manufactured.

Two or three places have been raided," said the security advisor, adding that the sophisticated weapons are not manufactured in the state but have definitely come from outside.

On the recent comment made by former DG of Assam Rifles PC Nair that no drones or rockets have been used in Manipur, Kuldiep said, "Whatever he has said is his understanding.

We are saying there has been drone bombing".

Meanwhile, ADGP (Intelligence) Ashutosh Sinha, who was also present at the press conference, shared additional insights into the ongoing operations and intelligence efforts aimed at containing further violence in the state.

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