Weaponised drones dropped more than 40 bombs at Koutruk, Kadangband
NIA Likely drone suppliers named
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 21 2025:
More than 40 bombs were dropped from drones in Koutruk and Kadangband by Kuki militants on September 1, 2024 .
The NIA today submitted an application before the Special Court NIA Manipur for submission of production cum seizure memo and an audio-video recording.
The application, citing eye witnesses, mentioned that Kuki militants dropped more than 40 bombs from drones in Koutruk and Kadangband on September 1, 2024 .
Special PP NIA submitted that information was received at around 2.18 pm on September 1, 2024 about unknown Kuki militants attacking the villages of Koutruk and Kadangband from the western hill range with sophisticated weapons including sniper rifles and grenade bombs (dropped from drones) .
One woman aged about 31 was killed in the attack while her nine year old daughter sustained severe injuries.
The victim was identified as Ngangbam Surbala Devi w/o Ng Ingo Singh of Phayeng Umang Leikai.
During the course of investigation, NIA examined Sub Inspector Soraisham Surjakumar of Lamsang police station as well as Ningthoujam Surjitkumar Singh, younger brother of Ngangbam Surbala.
After taking over the case documents on October 12, 2024, NIA initiated further investigation by recording statements of the previous IO and other witnesses.
Further investigation revealed that at around 2.30 pm on September 1, 2024, drones were seen in the sky and they started bombing Koutruk and Kadangband, and the bombing continued till 6 pm.
After sunset between 6 pm to 8 pm, armed Kuki militants came down to Koutruk village and burned down many vehicles and machinery.
Many Tata trucks, two big electrical water pumping machines, two motorcycles, one car (Beat) and six Activa scooters and two bikes were found burnt to ashes at Koutruk Chingthak Leikai, said the Special PP.
The drones/accessories used to drop the bombs were probably procured by one Khaigoulen Kipgen alias David of Gamngai village, Motbung, through different sources.
It was revealed that the drones/accessories were being supplied by Mayank Sharma (30) s/o Sh Raj Kumar Sharma of D-4, First Floor, Saraswati Garden, Ramesh Nagar, New Delhi and Vikram Chaudhary s/o Gopi Chand Chaudhary of 647 Sector 14, Rohtak Haryana.
It has emerged that Khaigoulen Kipgen alias David of Gamngai village, Motbung collected drone and drone batteries from Mayank Sharma and Vikram Chaudhary after paying a considerable amount in cash/online, the Special PP submitted.
During further investigation it has emerged that another person Laikangbam Albert Singh (36) s/o L Chinglen Singh of Nagamapal Kangjabi Leirak also collected drone and drone batteries from Mayank Sharma and Vikram Chaudhary after paying a considerable amount online.
Submitting that bank statements and other relevant documents have been seized, and production cum seizure memo has been prepared, the Special PP prayed for submission of production cum seizure memo and its audio-video recording before the special Court.
After hearing the submission of the Special PP and on perusal of the application along with the relevant documents, the Court admitted the NIA's application.
Comment
