Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, and other officials honored the two Assam Rifles personnel who lost their lives in an ambush in Ukhrul district. The incident occurred when a suspected Naga armed group attacked an Assam Rifles vehicle on the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway, resulting in the deaths of Warrant Officer Balwant Singh and Havildar Chandra Mohan Singh. The Governor and Chief Minister paid their respects at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Imphal before the soldiers’ bodies were transported to their hometowns for final rites.
Massive search operations to locate the attackers have been ongoing for three days, with a ceremonial guard of honor given to the fallen soldiers by senior Army, Assam Rifles, and Central Armed Police Forces officers. Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh, MLAs, and other dignitaries also paid homage to the deceased. Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, 3 Corps Commander Lt Gen Girish Kalia, and Inspector General of Assam Rifles, South, Maj Gen Gaurav Sharma were among the officials present at the wreath-laying ceremony.
Joint efforts by Central and state security forces persist in tracking down the assailants responsible for the attack. Coordinated search operations are being conducted in Ukhrul district and nearby areas to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. The incident followed recent successful counter-insurgency operations in the same district. The NSCN-IM, a prominent Naga insurgent group, denied involvement in the ambush, emphasizing its commitment to the ceasefire agreement with the Indian government and the Indo-Naga peace process.
