1 killed, five injured in rocket attack by suspected insurgents in Manipur's Moirang
- In Reports
- 08:28 PM, Sep 06, 2024
- Myind Staff
In Moirang town, Bishnupur district, Manipur, an elderly man was killed in a rocket-propelled bomb attack, according to police reports. The attack also injured five others, including a 13-year-old girl. This incident marks the second injury to a minor in recent days; the first occurred in a drone attack by suspected Kuki insurgents on Sunday, as reported by the police and the home department.
Today's rocket hit the residence of Manipur's first Chief Minister, Mairembam Koireng Singh, located just 100 meters from the Indian National Army (INA) Museum in central Moirang town, near Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in northeast India.
The INA Museum honours Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and is situated in Moirang, where the INA flag was first hoisted on April 14, 1944, on Indian soil.
Sources indicated that the INA Museum was likely the intended target of the rocket attack. According to residents, the rocket was launched from the direction of the hills.
The elderly man, a member of the Meitei community, was offering prayers when shrapnel from the rocket struck his head, causing instant death. Neighbours reported that blood was found on the floor near his prayer items, including leaves and fruit. He was dressed in a white Khudei (a dhoti-like garment worn by the Meiteis) and a white shawl.
This was the second rocket attack in the district today. Earlier this morning, two rockets were fired from an elevated position in the nearby hills of Churachandpur district, which is predominantly inhabited by Kuki tribes. Although no injuries were reported in the morning attack, two structures were damaged.
The rockets that struck the valley area this morning had an estimated range of over 3 kilometres. Additionally, police reported that suspected insurgents fired several rounds from the hills towards Bishnupur district, leading security forces to respond with retaliation.
On the night of September 5th, residents of Kumbi village near Tronglaobi reported seeing several drones in the area.
On 1st September, suspected Kuki insurgents carried out attacks involving firing and drones, resulting in the deaths of two people and injuries to nine others, including a 12-year-old girl. The injured girl was the daughter of one of the deceased individuals who was shot in the head. Additionally, on September 2nd, a drone bomb attack in Senjam Chirang, Manipur, injured three more people.
Top intelligence sources have confirmed that weaponised drones and long-range sniper rifles were used in the attack on Koutruk village on Sunday. This attack marked the first documented instance in India of suspected insurgents using drones to drop bombs on civilians.
Image source: NDTV
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