Deadly ambush claims 13 lives in Manipur

New Delhi, Dec 5: An ambush suspected to be carried out by Kuki militants, resulted in the loss of at least 13 lives near Leithao village in Tengnoupal district, under the Machi police station. The incident unfolded in a forest area about 35 kilometres from the Machi police station between 8 am and 9 am, as reported by regional newspapers.

Details about the victims remain unconfirmed. Notably, no weapons were found at the ambush site. In response to the incident, a joint team of Manipur Police and Assam Rifles, led by the Tengnoupal Superintendent of Police, reached the site to recover the bodies.

The ambush occurred amid the ongoing violence that began on May 3, 2023, claiming more than 180 lives and displacing tens of thousands of individuals from their homes. The Leithu area in the Tengnoupal district, where the attack took place, had no prior record of ferocity during the current ethnic violence, according to reports. The location is approximately 10 kilometres northwest of Saibol, where a recent attempt to target an Assam Rifles patrol through an IED attack occurred.

The State of Manipur has been grappling with ethnic violence between the Meitets and Kuki-Zomis since May, resulting in over 180 deaths and the displacement of thousands.

In a related development, the State Government has lifted the ban on mobile internet in most parts of the State until December 18. However, certain areas within a 2-kilometre radius of district boundaries will continue to experience mobile internet suspensions.