A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan was killed in a gun attack by suspected militants at Mongbung village in Manipur’s Jiribam district on Sunday morning, police said. A policeman also suffered injuries and he has been admitted to a hospital, they said. The deceased has been identified as Ajay Kumar Jha, 43, a resident of Bihar.
“He suffered bullet injuries in the head and was declared brought-dead in hospital. The injured policeman is undergoing treatment, but he is out of danger,” a police officer said.
In a social media post Chief Minister N Biren Singh condemned the attack and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. “I strongly condemn the killing of a CRPF personnel in an attack carried out by an armed group, suspected to be Kuki militants, in Jiribam district today.
“His supreme sacrifice in the line of duty shall not go in vain. I further extend my sincere condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased soldier, while praying for the speedy recovery of the ones injured during the attack,” Singh said. Gunshots were reportedly heard in the village on Saturday night, too, the officer said. Additional security forces have been deployed at Mongbung from adjacent hill areas following Sunday’s attack, another official said.
A vehicle belonging to security personnel has been damaged in the gun attack, he added.
Manipur has been rocked by ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities since May last year, which has claimed more than 200 lives.
Separately Manipur police seized arms and ammunition from Imphal East and West districts, an official statement said. One AK 56 rifle, one SLR, one locally made SLR, one .38 pistol, four 9mm pistol, one .32 pistol, two hand grenades, and 25 round of ammunition were seized by security forces during search operations and area domination conducted in Heingang Ching in Imphal East district on Saturday, the statement issued by Manipur Police said.
Police during an operation at Khuyathong and Nagamapal area of Imphal West district seized one excalibur rifle, 7.62 mm Ar (GHAATAK) and one MA-3, MK-II rifle with ammunition on Friday, it said.
Meanwhile, police arrested two persons involved in theft of a vehicle and seized one .45 pistol and one 9mm pistol along with live ammunition from their possession in Imphal West district on Saturday, the statement said.
