Imphal: Two villages in Manipur’s Imphal West district faced coordinated assaults on Saturday evening as suspected militants launched simultaneous gunfire and bomb attacks, escalating security concerns in the region.
Around 7 p.m., militants attacked Koutruk Village, targeting Koutruk Ching Leikai and Awang Leikai under the Lamshang Police Station.
According to local sources, the assailants wielded advanced weaponry, prompting an immediate response from security forces and local village volunteers.
The ensuing confrontation saw a prolonged exchange of gunfire. As tensions mounted, a drone—allegedly controlled by militants stationed in the Bethel area—approached the village, raising fears of a potential aerial attack.
Residents remain on high alert following this latest aggression, the second assault on Koutruk this month; a prior attack on October 16 involved similar gunfire and bomb threats, though it resulted in no casualties.
Later that evening, around 9:15 p.m., a separate attack unfolded in Tronglaobi Village in Bishnupur district. Militants launched an assault, reportedly firing from the Geljang and Molshang areas. Villagers, supported by volunteers from Moirang, responded, leading to another intense exchange of gunfire.
These recent assaults underscore a rising wave of violence, with militant groups demonstrating increasingly sophisticated tactics, including the deployment of drones and well-coordinated attacks across multiple locations. Local authorities have heightened security and are working closely with community volunteers to monitor and defend against potential future incidents.
Meanwhile, residents remain vigilant as the authorities intensify their efforts to bring stability to these areas.