Three including BSF man hurt in Kuki militants' firing
Sugnu, Pukhao Shantipur under attack
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 15 2024: At least two village defenders and one BSF personnel sustained injuries as Kuki militants attacked Sugnu and Pukhao Shantipur yet again.

Reportedly, the situation at both Sugnu and Pukhao-Shantipur is still tense.

The injured village volunteers have been identified as Ningombam Rakesh (28), s/o Hemanta of Pukhao Khabam Mayai Leikai and Kshetrimayum Rakesh (40), s/o Late Juge of Kongpal Kshetri Leikai while the injured BSF personnel is Constable Anurag Ahuja (34), s/o Umapati Ahuja of Uttar Pradesh.

While Ksh Rakesh was hit by a sniper on his chest last night at Sugnu and the bullet hasn't been removed as of yet, the other village defender N Rakesh sustained bullet injuries on his leg at Pukhao-Shantipur.

The BSF Constable, on the other hand, got injured on his right abdomen in the attack at Sugnu Higher Secondary School where personnel of BSF 136 Battalion D Coy are stationed.

Both the village volunteers are undergoing treatment at Raj Medicity and they are stable, said a credible source.

Reportedly, Kuki militants carried out the heavy attack at Sugnu for the second consecutive day from Lailoiphai and Dongyang villages in Churachandpur district, during which the BSF personnel got injured.

It is further reported that the Kuki militants also fired 81 inch mortar shells in the attack at Sugnu.

Sugnu has been under the attack of Kuki militants since yesterday and gunfight is still underway in the area with regular intervals.

Kuki militants resumed their offensive at Sugnu Awang Leikai Thongmanak and Sugnu Higher Secondary School at around 2 am with dozens of bombs accompanied by heavy firing using sophisticated weapons.

Some properties were destroyed at Sugnu Awang Leikai Thongmanak and one bomb suspected to be an 81 inch mortar shell exploded in the courtyard of one Moirangthem Radhamohan.

The gunfight was going on at the time this report was filed with regular intervals.

There is no report of any injury on the side of village volunteers at Sugnu in today's firefight.

Speaking to the media, a local of Sugnu wondered how 81 inch mortar shells 'which are issued only to security forces' were fired from the side of Kuki militants.

Tension is still high at Sungu.

Meanwhile, the attack at Pukhao Shantipur was launched from the nearby hill range in the morning today.

Apart from firing, the Kuki militants also carried out a bomb attack, leaving one village volunteer injured.

The exchange of fire which took place in the periphery of Imphal East and Kangpokpi district lasted some hours.

Tight securing measures have been taken up in the area and there is no report of any firing from Kuki militants after the gunfight in the morning stopped.

The situation, however, is still tense in the area.

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