Imphal East, Manipur – Violence intensified over the weekend in the outskirts of Imphal East district as armed militants launched a series of attacks on multiple villages, heightening fears among residents. The assaults began on Saturday and continued into Sunday morning, with militants targeting villagers and security forces from strategic hilltop positions overlooking the valley areas below.
In one incident on Saturday, two civilians sustained injuries while harvesting paddy near the Yaingangpokpi area. The attack occurred around 9:20 a.m. when suspected armed miscreants fired on villagers working in the fields. The injured were promptly treated at the Yaingangpokpi Primary Health Center (PHC), but the whereabouts of three other farmers who were in the fields at the time remain unknown.
The violence escalated on Sunday morning with coordinated attacks across the district. Villages including Thamnapokpi, Yaingangpokpi, Sabungkhok, and Sanasabi came under fire from militants. Around 9:30 a.m., militants reportedly fired three rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) toward farmers near Thamnapokpi, forcing villagers to abandon their work and flee for safety. The explosions triggered panic as gunfire rained down, leading to an intense exchange between militants and security forces.
A joint security team comprising the Maha Regiment, Border Security Force (BSF), and local police responded swiftly, engaging the attackers in a prolonged skirmish that continued until the afternoon. One member of the Maha Regiment sustained an arm injury during the crossfire but was reported to be in stable condition after receiving medical attention.
The situation was eventually brought under control by security forces, but the escalating violence has left communities in the foothill regions anxious and uncertain. Authorities have increased security presence in the affected areas, and investigations are underway to locate the missing individuals and to secure the periphery regions.
Residents have expressed concerns over their safety and the ongoing instability, as attacks from hilltop vantage points continue to pose severe threats to those living in the valley.