ISLAMABAD: Rebels opened fire on an Indian Army patrol from the 22 AssamRifles near the India-Myanmar border in Tengnoupal district of Manipur inthe early hours of Friday, officials said.
The ambush took place around 4:30 am when the patrol was conducting routinearea domination along the porous international border. The attackers usedautomatic weapons from elevated positions before melting into the denseforest.
Two Assam Rifles personnel succumbed to injuries while at least five otherswere wounded, two of them critically. The injured were airlifted tomilitary hospitals in Imphal and Leimakhong.
Security sources said the attackers belonged to a Manipur-based valleyinsurgent group that maintains camps across the border in Myanmar. Thegroup has been opposing the presence of central forces in the state.
Reinforcement columns immediately cordoned off the area and launched amassive combing operation. Additional Rashtriya Rifles units have beenmoved to seal possible escape routes into Myanmar.
The incident comes weeks after the fragile ceasefire between Meitei andKuki communities showed signs of strain. Ethnic violence has claimed over250 lives in Manipur since May 2023.
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Army headquarters in New Delhi confirmed the attack and casualties butdeclined to name the deceased soldiers until their families were informed.A court of inquiry has been ordered.
Manipur government sources described the ambush as a deliberate attempt toderail ongoing peace initiatives and provoke fresh communal tensions aheadof anticipated political dialogue.
Source:www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/manipur-assam-rifles-ambush-two-killed-101732456789012.html”>https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/manipur-assam-rifles-ambush-two-killed-101732456789012.html