Offensives from Kuki militants repulsed
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 19 2023:
Fresh rounds of gunfight broke out between Kuki militants and village volunteers in the adjacent areas of Kangpokpi and Imphal West and in Bishnupur district today.
There was a heavy exchange of fire between Kuki militants and Meetei village volunteers near Khongnangpokpi Kom village and Luwang Shangol in the adjoining areas of Kangpokpi and Imphal West at around 2.30 pm today.
It is reported that three Kuki militants might have sustained grievous injuries during the gunfight.
The Kuki militants descended from Phaileng side and fired several rounds towards Meetei villages Chanbirok and Tombilok, said Meetei residents who were staying about 200 metres away from the site of the incident.
This reporter also heard sound of intermittent firing and bombardment while at the area and the same continued till about 3.20 pm.
After a break for about 3 hours, the exchange of fire continued at around 6.30 pm again and the gunfight continued till the time of filing this report at around 8 pm.
Amid the gunfight, a large number of women from Tombilok, Leikinthabi, Sekmai and Kanglatongbi gathered at the bridge connecting Sekmai and Leikinthabi .
Meanwhile, Kuki militants launched fresh attacks at Chairel Mangjing and Khoijumantabi under Kumbi police station last night at around 9.30 pm and it led to a gunbattle which lasted till today morning.
From the spot, the locals said that two drones were sighted before the Kuki militants launched their attack.
Reportedly, the Kuki militants launched a gun and bomb attack after the surveillance.
The State commandos and village volunteer forces in the area also retaliated and it led to the heavy exchange of fire sporadically which lasted till 8 am.
The Kuki militants also attacked BSF and State commandos deployed at Khoijumantabi and the latter retaliated.
No casualties were reported from Bishnupur.