'Rocket' attack kills elderly man, injures five in Moirang
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 06 2024: Days after a devastating drone bombing claimed one life, fresh violence erupted in Manipur as a 'rocket' attack in Bishnupur district by Kuki militants killed an elderly man and injured five others on Friday.

The incident took place at the residence of late Mairembam Koireng, the first elected chief minister of Manipur, in Moirang Mairembam Leikai.

The attack occurred around 3:30 pm as family members of Koireng were preparing for a religious ceremony.

According to eyewitness Mairembam Kelvin, the rocket landed near a statue of the former CM, instantly killing RK Rabei, of Moirang Phiwangbam Leikai, who was present for the ceremony.

It fell at a spot around two km from the INA headquarters.

On April 14, 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Shaukat Ali of the Indian National Army (INA) hoisted the Tricolour Flag of free India for the first time on Indian soil under the guidance of INA Supreme Commander Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at Moirang.

"It happened so fast," said Kelvin, recounting the incident.

"We heard the sound of the missile approaching before it hit.

After the explosion, we found Rabei lying on the floor, covered in blood.

He died instantly".

Rabei was preparing for a religious ritual for an elderly woman who had passed away a few days earlier when the missile struck.

Police arrived af the scene shortly after and recovered the remains of the rocket, including the intact tail portion, which could offer clues to its origin.

The injured were immediately rushed to RIMS hospital, Imphal for treatment.

Local witnesses described seeing a missile-like object with a smoke trail arcing over the hills behind Sendra Road before it crashed into the house.

The rocket is believed to have been fired from Khousabung or a nearby area, roughly 6 km from the impact site.

Authorities are investigating the source of the attack, which occurred amid escalating tensions in the state.

This was not the first strike of the day in the district.

Earlier in the morning, a similar rocket attack hit the village of Tronglaobi.

The rocket, launched around 4:30 am, destroyed two structures.

One elderly man narrowly escaped death when he exited a toilet complex seconds before a missile struck, obliterating the facility attached to his house.

Police confirmed that the rockets fired in the morning attack originated from elevated positions in Churachandpur district, targeting low-lying residential areas in Tronglaobi.

The rockets were estimated to have travelled over 3 km before hitting the valley.

Adding to the tension, Kuki militants opened fire from the hills towards Bishnupur district on Friday, prompting a retaliatory response from security forces.

In the midst of the ongoing violence, residents of Kumbi village, near Tronglaobi, reported seeing multiple drones hovering over their area the previous night, heightening fears of further attacks.

Friday's missile strikes come just days after a series of drone bombings in Koutruk, Kadang-band, and Senjam Chirang villages in Imphal West district.

On September 1, a woman was killed and around a dozen people, including a 13-year-old girl, were injured in a drone attack by Kuki militants in Koutruk village.

Intelligence reports have confirmed the use of weaponised drones and long-range sniper rifles in the attack, marking an alarming escalation in the conflict.

According to sources, the woman who died in Koutruk may have been hit by a sniper bullet, though official confirmation is still pending.

Manipur remains on edge as the violence shows no signs of abating, with attacks becoming more frequent and increasingly sophisticated.

Security forces are on high alert, but the use of drones, long-range missiles, and snipers has complicated the situation.

As the conflict continues to intensify, civilians across the state are living in fear of further attacks, unsure of what the future holds.

The injured victims have been identified as Salam Nanao (40) from Sendra Road, Selena Mairembam (13), daughter of Raju Mairembam from Mairembam Leikai, Rajen Mairembam (58) from Sendra Road Laigoi, Konjengbam Jugindro (52) from Moirang Oksongbung, and Ngangom Ibobi (65) from Moirang Oksongbung.

Following the missile attack, senior police officers, along with forensic science and bomb expert teams, arrived at the scene to conduct an investigation.

Based on the missile remains, officials estimate that it was approximately 8 to 10 feet long and weighed over 15 kg.

Shrapnel and other remnants of the explosive material used in the missile were collected for further analysis.

Tensions escalated when local residents, angry and grieving, blocked police efforts to transport the victim's body to Imphal for a post-mortem.

Later around 9 pm, a joint team of state police and central forces tried to launch an operation in the nearby hill areas.

However, the team encountered heavy resistance and engaged in a fierce gun battle with Kuki militants.

There is no report of injury in the exchange of fire.

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