Four cops injured, two Kuki militants killed
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 31 2023:
As the state witnessed multiple instances of armed attacks by suspected Kuki militants at different locations in the last 24 hours, at least four police commando personnel were injured in a late night RPG attack in border town Moreh, while two Kuki militants were reportedly killed in follow up shootout.
The RPG attack hit a temporary post of commandos deployed in Moreh late night resulting in injury to four CDO personnel.
The building, where the temporary CDO post was set up, is located at Moreh Ward No 6 near the bank of Khujairok River and it belongs to one Nameirakpam Birendra of Thongju Nameirakpam Leikai.
Police source said that the RPG attack was preceded by an attack involving use of bombs and firearms by Kuki militants on Saturday evening.
The injured CDO personnel have been identified as Diliangam Kamson (3rd IRB), N Borjao (7th MR), M Sunil (7th IRB), and M Priyokumar (3rd IRB) .
They were evacuated to Assam Rifles KLP post near Kondong Lairembi, airlifted in a helicopter till Imphal and admitted to RIMS hospital.
Soon after the RPG attack, the CDO personnel launched operation during which two cadres of Kuki militant group Kuki National Army (KNA) were killed in a shootout.
The deceased duo has been identified as J Haokip of Holenphai village and K Mate of Moljol village.
Following the incident, security measures were tightened up in the border town with security forces carrying out patrolling on Sunday.
At around 4.30 pm, a CDO patrol team came under heavy attack near Moreh College resulting in heavy gunfight till late night.
However, there is no report of any further casualty till the time of filing this report.
Earlier, on Sunday morning around 3 o'clock, Kuki militants carried out attack using automatic weapons and bombs towards Moirangpurel area in Imphal East district resulting in the injury of a Meetei village volunteer.
The injured victim has been identified as Chingakham Lamyanba (23) of Tumuk-hong.
He was hit by bomb splinters and brought to Raj Medicity for treatment.
In Imphal West too, Kuki militants launched fresh rounds of attack towards Kadangband Part 2, Koutruk and Kangchup.
Meetei village volunteers also retaliated but there is no report of any casualty.
State security forces have brought the situation under control though there are reports of intermittent firing till late evening.
Meanwhile, joint team of police commandos, Imphal East district police, 1/3 GR and BSF under the supervision of SP Imphal East carried out search operation in Maphou Kuki and Sailejang villages on Sunday.
Both the villages were found deserted and the security team recovered an iron box believed to be used for storing ammunition.