Manipur Unrest: Five Abandoned Houses Burnt in Imphal West Village

Imphal: Suspected militants set fire to at least five abandoned houses in a village in Manipur's Imphal West district before being driven away by security forces, police said on Monday.

The militants began their attack on Sunday afternoon, firing indiscriminately from hilltops into the Koutruk and nearby Kadangband valleys, reaching the outskirts of Koutruk village. According to a senior officer, "Five abandoned houses were burnt by the militants. The residents had fled their homes after the gun and bomb attack that began around 2:30 pm on Sunday. The militants were pushed back by security forces on Sunday night."

On September 1, two people, including a woman, were killed, and nine others were injured when militants attacked the area. Koutruk, situated about 18 km from Imphal, has experienced multiple attacks since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur last May.

The attack on Sunday caused widespread panic, leading women, children, and elderly residents to flee to safer locations. The Manipur Police reported that rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and drones were used in the assault.

An official statement on the attack said, "In an unprecedented attack in Koutruk, Imphal West, alleged militants have deployed numerous RPGs using high-tech drones. While drone bombs have commonly been used in general warfare, this recent deployment of drones to deploy explosives against security forces and civilians marks a significant escalation."

The statement suggested that the involvement of highly trained professionals with technical expertise could not be ruled out. "Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and the police are prepared to respond to any contingency that may arise," it added.

The state government urged people to remain calm and confirmed that "combing operations are ongoing to flush out any inimical elements."