At least two individuals, including a woman, sustained injuries in back-to-back explosions in Manipur’s Bishnupur district. The first blast, believed to be caused by a locally made Improvised Explosive Device (IED), occurred at an abandoned house in Ngaukon village. The residents of the house had relocated to a relief camp following ethnic violence in May 2023.
Shortly after the initial explosion, a second blast took place about 200 meters away as villagers gathered at the scene. The injured individuals, Sanatomba Singh and Indubala Devi, were taken to a government hospital for treatment. Fortunately, their injuries were reported as not severe.
Following the explosions, security forces, accompanied by senior police officials, initiated a search operation to apprehend those responsible for the IED incidents. An angry crowd also vandalized a temporary security post nearby, blaming security forces for the failure to prevent the blasts and make arrests.
In separate operations over the past day, security forces arrested five militants from outlawed groups in Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Imphal West districts. The apprehended militants, associated with the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) along with its affiliate, the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), were engaged in extorting money from various individuals and groups.
Security forces also seized a significant amount of arms and ammunition from Imphal East and Churachandpur districts, including rifles, pistols, explosives, grenades, and communication equipment. To combat militancy, extensive search operations and area control activities are ongoing in vulnerable regions of Manipur.
A total of 111 checkpoints have been established across Manipur to prevent illicit movements and suspicious activities. Security measures, including convoy escorts for essential goods transport on the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway, are being strictly enforced to ensure safe passage.
