Imphal/New Delhi: Videos have emerged showing the dramatic rescue of Manipur Police commandos by Assam Rifles troops during an ambush on a highway. The ambush took place on October 31 when insurgents hiding in a hill attacked a convoy of Manipur Police commandos on the highway between Imphal and the India-Myanmar border town Moreh.
The commandos were en route to Moreh as reinforcements after a senior police officer was shot dead by an insurgent sniper. The border town has been the site of intense clashes between the Chin-Kuki tribes and the Meiteis in recent months.
In the videos, which have been widely shared on social media, Assam Rifles troops inside an armored vehicle slowly approach a bend on the highway. Bullets are heard ricocheting off the vehicle as the troops encounter heavy gunfire from insurgents positioned on the hilltop. The commandos’ vehicles are seen on the side of the road, pinned down by the insurgents.
A soldier inside the armored vehicle alerts his squad to the situation and urges them to provide covering fire for the commandos. Another video shows a soldier urging the commandos to seek safety inside the armored vehicle, as they were in a vulnerable position on lower ground. Despite the chaos, the soldiers maintain their composure and direct return fire as the armored vehicle moves away from the danger zone.
The Assam Rifles troops managed to rescue three injured commandos and transport them to a hospital. Fortunately, there were no casualties in the ambush.
The incident highlights the importance of close cooperation between different security forces and agencies in counter-terrorism efforts. Lieutenant General Konsam Himalay Singh, a retired top-ranking army officer, praised the Assam Rifles troops for their rescue operation and emphasized the need for joint efforts to bring stability to the state.
The Imphal-Moreh highway is known for its challenging terrain, with hills, jungles, and hairpin bends that increase the risk of ambush by insurgents.
The recent attack on the helipad project and the subsequent highway ambush have escalated hostilities between the security forces and insurgents in Manipur. The clashes have disrupted the fragile peace in the region, which has been plagued by ethnic violence. The deployment of police personnel to Moreh has been hindered by roadblocks, necessitating the construction of a larger helipad.
The incident has raised concerns about the adherence to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement signed between the government and insurgent groups. Two camps of insurgent groups were found empty, indicating a possible violation of the agreement.
Kuki civil society groups have criticized the Manipur government’s decision to send police commandos to Moreh, expressing concerns about potential harm to Kuki civilians. The ethnic violence in Manipur has resulted in numerous casualties and internal displacement.
The unrest in Manipur has been attributed to various factors, including the demand for inclusion under the Scheduled Tribes category and the infiltration of illegal immigrants. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is investigating a potential transnational conspiracy involving terror groups operating in Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Manipur to exploit the ethnic violence in the state.
