Assam Rifles patrol ambushed by militants in Manipur

In an incident earlier today, 20 Assam Rifles (AR) stationed at Saigol area in Manipur, came under a sudden ambush by unidentified armed miscreants suspected to be members of militant groups. The attack took place at general area of Saibol in Tengnoupal district at approximately 8:30 AM.

A low-intensity improvised explosive device (IED) was planted by the militants, followed by the utilisation of small firearms to shoot at the Assam Rifles vehicles, reports suggest.

In response to the attack, the AR personnel swiftly retaliated, resulting in a tense situation. According to reports, none of the soldiers sustained injuries during the attack, attributed to their travel in a mine-protected vehicle. The motive behind the coordinated attack remains unclear at this time.

On Wednesday, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), a representative organisation of Kuki-Zo tribes in Manipur, issued a warning to establish a “self-governed separate administration” in regions where these tribes constitute the majority. The attack on security forces occurred over half a year after the initial outbreak of violence in Manipur on May 3.