Security forces have detained two individuals in connection with the deadly ambush on an Assam Rifles convoy in Manipur’s Bishnupur district that left two personnel dead and five others injured.
The attack took place on the evening of September 19 in Nambol Sabal Leikai, when unidentified armed men opened fire on a convoy vehicle.
Following the assault, security forces swiftly launched combing operations in nearby Shantipur and Ishok villages, leading to the detention of the two suspects, who are currently being held for verification.
Officials confirmed the recovery of a silver-blue van suspected to have been used by the assailants. The vehicle was found abandoned in Mutum Yangbi, approximately 10 kilometres from the ambush site.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the van had changed hands multiple times before being used in the attack, prompting investigators to trace its ownership trail to establish a clear link to the perpetrators.
The ambush highlights the fragile security situation in Manipur, which has been experiencing ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023.
The protracted conflict has created opportunities for militant groups to regroup and exploit the unrest. The Assam Rifles, often described as the “sentinels of the Northeast,” have been at the forefront of counter-insurgency operations as well as peacekeeping efforts in the state.
Authorities have now intensified search operations across Bishnupur and adjoining districts to hunt down those responsible for the ambush.
Security has been tightened along key transit routes, with additional checkpoints set up to prevent further strikes.