Four injured in gunfight; arms recovered
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 22 2023: At least 'four people including two soldiers were injured in a gunfight at N Boljang in Kangpokpi district early Thursday morning.

As per sources, there was heavy exchange of firing between two groups of people at N Boljang around 5am Thursday during which two Meitei volunteers were injured while same numbers of army personnel were wounded in cross firing.

It may be mentioned here three people including a woman were killed and two others injured during a gunfight at Khoken village on June 9 .

Khoken and N Boljang villages are located close to the Olympian Park.

Confirming the firing incident, Spear Corps (III Corps) of the Indian Army said: "Armed miscreants resorted to unprovoked firing in N Boljang, Imphal West district in the morning hours of 22 June .

" The Army troopers resorted to "calibrated response to avoid any collateral damage" .

"Two soldiers sustained minor injuries - both stable," the Army continued, adding that one INSAS machine gun was later recovered from the site of the firing by the security personnel.

"Additional columns inducted and operations are in progress," the Army added.

Eariier on Wednesday, at least three individuals, including two minors, were injured when an improvised explosive device (IED), concealed inside an SUV, was detonated at Kwakta in Bish-nupur district of Manipur.

Kwakta is a Muslim-majority area, situated close to the Kuki-majority Chu-rachandpur district of Manipur, which lies less than 5 km away.

Shots of automatic small arms were also heard near Urangpat, North of Yain-gangpokpi in Imphal East district, around 5.45 pm on Wednesday.

There were also reports of unprovoked firing by unidentified gunmen from 2 directions towards Haraothel around 5.30pm.The situation was brought under control around 7.30 pm, sources said.

On tfte other hand, a combined team of security forces conducted a search operation at Mata village in Churachandpur district from 7am Thursday and recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition.

According to a report, as part of the operations carried out, to contain the violence and recover the weapons which were looted during the same, a combined team of 46 Assam Rifles, CRPF and ITBP searched Mata village from 7am to 11.30am Thursday during which the team recovered one tear gas gun, 30 tear gas shells, one M16 rifle with magazine, one pistol with magazine containing one .22 bullet, one country-made pistol, one 12 bore rifle with 43 live rounds, four Carbine magazine, one magazine pouch and one belt pouch.

Meanwhile, a live mortar shell was found at a paddy held near Kangvai under Phou gakchao PS in Bishnupur district around 8am Thursday.

The live explosive was safely retrieved by a team of Assam Rifles shortly after, the report conveyed.

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