Kuki militants attack three locations; two killed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 30 2024: Two village volunteers have been killed while three others sustained injuries as Kuki militants launched fierce attacks at three different locations in Imphal West and Imphal East this afternoon.

Kuki militants armed with sophisticated weapons launched a fierce attack from the hill range of Koutruk Maning Ching and Bethel village at around 1.50 pm today.

They fired multiple rounds of bombs and bullets toward Koutruk and Kadangband villages simultaneously.

Village volunteers who were guarding the village also retaliated by firing toward the Kuki militants and pushed back the Kuki militants as they advanced toward the Meitei villages.

During the heavy gunfight at Kadangband, two village volunteers sustained bullet injuries and succumbed on the spot.

The two martyrs have been identified as Meisnam Khaba (23) s/o M Hemanta of Sagoltongba Mamang Leikai and Nongthombam Michael (33) s/o N Imo of Palace Compound, Wang-khei Thangapat.

Three other village volunteers who sustained injuries in the gun battle were evacuated from the spot using ambulance.

They are presently undergoing treatment at RIMS and their conditions are said to be stable.

One of them sustained bullet injury on his right leg.

It is suspected that there might be heavy casualties on the side of Kuki militants.

The gun battle was still raging in the area till the time this report was filed.

Unconfirmed reports said there might be heavy casualties on the side of Kuki militants.

On the other hand, Kuki militants attacked Meitei villages located in the adjoining area of Imphal East and Kangpokpi district from Khamenlok hill range today afternoon.

Village volunteers fired back in self defence and managed to push back the Kuki militants who were advancing toward the Meitei villages.

There is no report of any injury during the gunfight at Khamenlok area, sources informed.

Womenfolk came out to the roads connecting Uripok to Koutruk and Lamlong to Khamenlok, diverted all the vehicles to alternate routes to give free passage to the vehicles carrying injured persons during the gunfight.

Notably, two of the three injured persons rushed to RIMS did not suffer bullet or splinter injury.

While one was injured while retreating in the hilly terrain, the other had lost consciousness due to the impact of a projectile hitting on the bulletproof jacket he was wearing.

According to village volunteers with direct knowledge of the incident, the attack on village volunteers at areas in Kadangband and Koutruk occurred at around 2 pm.

They said the village volunteers were overwhelmed by a large number of well armed Kuki militants in combat fatigue from different directions.

The conflict since May 3, 2023 has killed over 180 people and displaced more than 60,000 people across the State.

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