Imphal: A Sub-Inspector and Head Constable of CRPF were killed and another two suffered injuries when suspected Kuki militants attacked at a security forces camp in Manipur’s Bishnupur district on Saturday.

The attack was carried out allegedly by suspected Kuki militants at the post of 128 Battalion CRPF’s B-company located at the Western side of 2nd Indian Reserve Battalion Headquarter  in Naranseina Maning of Bishnupur bordering Churachandpur district.

The deceased CRPF personnel are identified as Sub Inspector MD Nasaruddin Sarkar from Barpeta district of Assam and Head Constable Arup Kumar Shaine from West Bengal. The injured are identified as Inspector Jadav Das and Constable Aftab Hussain.

According to sources, it was reported that in the wee hours of Saturday morning at around 12:45 am, heavily armed suspected Kuki militants from different villages of Churachandpur district came towards Naranseina Village(Meitei village). However, the CPRF personnel who were on night duty at the outpost on the western side of the 2nd IRB HQ saw the armed militants and warned them not to advance further. The militants retreated and began attacking the CRPF post with sophisticated guns and bombs.

The CRPF personnel retaliated and a fierce gun battle ensued with the militants for an hour. During the gunfight, a bomb fired by the militants landed inside the post of the CRPF and exploded, severely injuring the four personnel. All of them suffered splinter injuries and were first evacuated to Bishnupur District Hospital, where one of the injured succumbed to his injuries. Later, the other three were immediately shifted to RIMS Hospital in Imphal. At RIMS one of them also succumbed to his injuries, while the other two are undergoing treatment. The condition of the two injured CRPF personnel is improving and are said to be out of danger.

Moments after the gunfight, top officers of Bishnupur District Police with additional forces arrived at the area and heavy security measures were taken up to prevent unwanted incidents.

Combined security forces upon searching the post, found two unexploded Chinese made hand grenades. A bomb disposal squad team disposed of the hand grenades at the spot. Several live rounds, empty cases of assault rifles and other guns, 32 projectiles and one walkie talkie were found a few metres outside the post. Later, the combined forces carried out massive combing operations at Lonphai, Salangthel, Leingang, Langjingmanbi and Khoirentak areas. During the operation, the security forces destroyed 3 bunkers allegedly set up by militants and recovered one Self Loading Rifle and three barrel guns and ammunition.

People of the area condemning the attack have demanded the Governments at the Centre and State to remove all the bunkers put up by armed Kukis near Meitei villages. The locals also said that if militants can attack a big security camp, how they (villagers) could live in peace.

Manipur’s security advisor Kuldiep Singh led top security officials in paying last respects to the deceased CRPF personnel. During the function held at Imphal International Airport, Kuldiep Singh laid a wreath on the lifeless bodies of the two jawans. The mortal remains of CRPF Sub Inspector and Head Constable were flown to their states.

Kuldiep termed the attack as an act of cowardice and said that the perpetrators will not be spared and they will be brought before court of law.

The Manipur Security Advisor while refrained from naming anyone said that investigation is on and it’s in the preliminary stage. He also said “Whoever carried out the attack will have to pay a heavy price for the action”.

He also said that this is for the first time that a targeted attack is being carried against central forces who have been deployed as neutral forces to maintain peace in the state. While highlighting that central forces are working to bring peace in the state, he said that attacking on security forces will not be tolerated and the government will put all agencies into work to find out the perpetrators.