Around 70 heavily armed militants suspected to be from the National Socialist Council of Nagaland — Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) attacked combined post of 6th Manipur Rifles and 7th Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) in Noney district of Manipur around 11am on Saturday. The militants snatched 20 sophisticated arms from the security forces.
“At least 70 heavily armed cadre suspected to be from NSCN-IM raided the post and fled with weapons, including four SlRs, three INSAS rifle, one AK rifle and another automatic firearm,” a police source said.
Following the incident, reinforced team of Manipur police has been rushed to the post and a search operation launched to track the terrorists, added the source.
Incidentally, the incident took place while there is a 24-hours statewide bandh called by women vendors of Khwairamband Bazaar against increased terror activities.
This is the fourth attack on security forces suspected to be carried out by the terrorists in the last three days.
Three policemen were killed and 14 others injured in different incidents after the terrorists ambushed state forces at lokchao and Bongyang in Chandel district, and Noney town in Noney district on Thursday.
Of these attacks, Saturday’s is the first incident in which weapons have been looted.
On Friday night also, a series of powerful explosions rocked Imphal city within a span of one hour.
However, no casualties were reported in the explosions.
The first IED explosion took place at the residence of a special contractor, Shangreihan Muivah, in the highly congested Fairyland area of Nagaram in the heart of capital city around 8 pm on Friday.
Window panes and some other portions of the residence were shattered in the explosion.
The local media claimed Shangreihan Muivah was the elder brother of NSCN (IM) supremo Thuingaleng Muivah.
Another IED exploded at the residence of 58-year-old Mingyao Ruivanao during which portions of his house was damaged. Police said the second explosion that left a crater of around 10 feet, occurred 20 minutes later after the first explosion.
Meanwhile, unidentified persons lobbed a hand grenade at the residence of retired Survey Officer RB Reishinsham. The grenade exploded, 20 minutes later after the second blast but did not damage any standing structures, a police officer said.