Imphal, May 15: Counter-insurgency operations remain ongoing in Manipur’s Chandel district after Assam Rifles neutralized 10 militants during a fierce encounter on Wednesday. The district, which borders Myanmar and lies about 130 km from Imphal, has witnessed intensified security activity in recent days.
According to officials, the Assam Rifles unit under the Indian Army’s Spear Corps launched an operation based on intelligence inputs about armed militants near New Samtal village in Khengjoy Tehsil. “Troops came under fire but retaliated in a calibrated and measured manner, resulting in the elimination of 10 insurgents,” the Army’s Eastern Command stated. A substantial cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered. The identities of the deceased militants have yet to be disclosed.
This marks one of the most significant counter-insurgency successes since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023, between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities. The operation is seen as a blow to insurgent groups operating in the difficult and sparsely populated mountainous terrain of Chandel, home to several tribal groups including the Nagas.
Meanwhile, in separate operations across the state, security forces arrested seven militants linked to various banned outfits including the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and CKLA/UPLF. The arrests were made in Thoubal, Imphal West, Kakching, Bishnupur, and Churachandpur districts.
Police said the militants were involved in criminal activities such as abduction, extortion, and threats against civilians and government employees. Arms, ammunition, Aadhaar cards, and other incriminating materials were seized.
Search and area domination operations by combined forces continue in both hill and valley regions, especially in vulnerable zones along Manipur’s 398-km unfenced border with Myanmar. The Border Roads Organisation has been working to fence this porous frontier since last year.
