BSF trooper among six injured in Moreh attacks
Involvement of Foreign Mercenaries highly suspicious: CM N Biren
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 02 2024: As Kuki militants continued persistent attacks on state security forces since December 30, at least six security personnel including one BSF trooper and five commando personnel were injured on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, chief minister N Biren has expressed suspicion of involvement of foreign mercenaries with deadly weapons in the series of attack on state forces.

Police source identified the injured security personnel as police commandos Maibam Thoiba (32), son of Rabi of Yairipok Top; Chabungbam Herojit (38), son of Bira of Kodompokpi Mayai Leikai; Kamei Gaihemlung (40), son of late Majapao of Ragailong; Mangsatabam Premkumar (35), son of Tolen of Luwangsangbam; Maibam Dayanahi (49), son of Jugindro of Nambol Maibam; and 192 battalion BSF head constable Devendra, who was recently deployed in Moreh.

The attack occurred near Canaan Veng, Moreh on Tuesday morning.

Maibam Thoiba and Chabungbam Herojit underwent surgery at RIMS and they are out of danger while Mangsatabam Premkumar has been referred to Shija Hospital from RIMS and is currently under observation.

Others are Said to be out of danger.

According to a PTI report, the gun-battle started in Chavangphai area, around 107 km from here on Tuesday morning, after two persons, during a search operation, were picked up for allegedly being involved in an attack on police personnel a day before.

Quoting a senior officer as saying, the report said local women tried to secure the release of the two persons.

Security personnel retaliated after suspected militants opened fire at them, he said.

Chief minister N Biren visited the injured security personnel in the hospitals and interacted with them.

Later talking to the media, the CM condemned the attack and disclosed that intelligence reports suggest involvement of foreign mercenaries.

He also said that detailed reports are being sent to the home ministry and measures taken up to tackle the Kuki militants.

The CM further said that the arms used by the Kuki militants were able to penetrate the bullet proof vehicles of state security forces, which suggests high grade weapons used by the militants.

Joint teams of state and central security forces are carrying out search operations.

There are unofficial reports of the death of two Kuki militants and injury of six, he said while adding that there are substantial evidences of possible involvement of Myanmar based KNA (Burma) cadres in the series of recent attacks on state forces.

Biren also made firm commitment to the people that the government will not succumb to such threats and pressure but will take necessary measures to counter such terrorist activities.

Stating that Manipur is passing through a very crucial period, the Chief Minister questioned the rationale for inciting hatred and fighting among the people instead of unitedly facing those who are trying hard to break apart the state.

Biren also made firm commitment to the people that the government will not succumb to such threats and pressure but will take necessary measures to counter such terrorist activities.

Stating that Manipur is passing through a very crucial period, the Chief Minister questioned the rationale for inciting hatred and fighting among the people instead of unitedly facing those who are trying hard to break apart the state.

Meanwhile, source from the encounter zone said that Kuki militants launched fresh attacks on December 30 using sophisticated firearms and IEDs.

In the shootout, two Kuki militants were killed and four were injured.

The militants launched another round of attack on the intervening night of December 30 and 31 by firing a RPG towards a CDO barrack leaving three personnel injured.

They were evacuated to Imphal by chopper.

In the aftermath of the series of attacks, Manipur police carried out search operation on Monday and came under heavy attack as they neared Moreh College.

Both sides engaged in heavy gunfight but there were no reports of any casualty.

On Tuesday, joint security team continued search operation and yet again came under attack as they reached near Canaan Veng, which resulted in the injury to four CDO and one BSF personnel.

The injured personnel were evacuated to the KLP post of Assam Rifles, from where they were brought to Imphal by helicopter.

Following the attack, additional state forces entered the spot and both sides engaged in heavy gun battle till late evening.

CDO jawan Maibam Dayanahi was injured in the shootout and evacuated to Imphal by heli copter.

Ground reports suggest possibilities of multiple casual ties among the Kuki militants in the gunfight.

Keeping in view of the increasing escalation of violence in the border town, additional commando teams were flown to Moreh by helicopter on Tuesday afternoon.

Interestingly, there is no report of involvement of Assam Rifles personnel posted in and around Moreh town either in the gunfights or supporting the state forces.

Manipur police, commandos and special commando teams are on alert in key locations vulnerable to militant attacks.

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