• Source:JND
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Manipur: At least two personnel of the 33 Assam rifles were killed and five were injured after the armed miscreants ambushed their vehicles in Manipur’s Bishanpur on Friday evening. According to the police, the incident took place at around 5:40 PM at Nambol Sabal Leikai, about 8 km from Imphal airport.

Soon after the incident, the injured were rushed to RIMS and are reported to be in stable condition. No group has claimed responsibility yet. Search operations are underway to track down the attackers, news agency quoted Defence PRO, Guwahati as saying.

Expressing grief over the incident, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “I am deeply shaken to hear about the ambush on our brave 33 Assam Rifles personnel at Nambol Sabal Leikai. The loss of two jawans and injuries to several others is a cruel blow to us all. My deepest condolences to the families of the fallen and prayers for the quick recovery of the injured. Their courage and sacrifice will remain in our hearts forever. The perpetrators of this heinous act must face the harshest punishment.”

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Unidentified gunmen opened fire on a Tata 407 vehicle carrying paramilitary personnel from Imphal to Bishnupur on Friday, NDTV reported. Visuals from the incident showed several police personnel injured after the miscreants ambushed their vehicle. Following the incident, police and security personnel were deployed in the area.

Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla strongly condemned the incident and offered prayers for the swift recovery of the injured. “The Governor of Manipur has strongly condemned the attack on security forces this evening, in which two brave jawans of the Assam Rifles made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. The Governor expressed profound grief and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the martyred soldiers, acknowledging their unwavering courage and dedication in protecting the nation. He further conveyed prayers for the speedy recovery of those who sustained injuries in the incident,” Raj Bhavan, Manipur wrote on X.

He further stated that such acts of violence will not be tolerated under any circumstances and warned that they would be met with the strongest resolve to uphold peace and stability in the region.

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The ambush comes just two days ahead of the proposed bandh called by valley-based militant groups in protest against the Manipur Merger Agreement signed on September 21, 1949. This marks the first deadly attack on the central security forces in Manipur since last year. The statement has remained in the state of unrest since ethnic violence erupted on May 3, 2023.