Manipur is grappling with an unprecedented Wave of Violence, as Kuki Militants unleash Drone Attacks in Northern Imphal and Rockets rain down on Southern parts of the Capital. From September 1 onwards,Kuki Militants have used Drones in Bishanpur, Koutruk, Jiribam, Nungchappi and Moirang. This has Created a Turmoil, Fear and Atmosphere of Uncertainty in the State. The Security Situation has reached a Point of No Return without any Comprehensive Plan of Action. Terrorist attacks continue, Civilian casualties mount and Administration is Ineffective. Manipur is trapped in a vicious cycle of Bloodshed and Insecurity, with No Sign of Relief.
In a first known instance of Weaponised Drones being used to Target Civilians by Insurgents in India,so far, 11 people have been killed and 29 injured in Manipur. Kuki Insurgents have also destroyed Three India Reserve Battalion Bunkers in Meikhang village, East Imphal.Use of Drones marks a New and Alarming Development in Kuki Meitie conflict which started in May,2023. These weaponised Drones are capable of operating from distances ranging between 500 metres to 10 kilometres. Use of Armed Drones to attack Police/Security Forces/ Civilians has started a New Phase in Manipur Insurgency. A Team of Combined Security Forces are studying implications of use of Drone Bombs by Militants.
My take is; a) These Drones have been Assembled Locally from kits received from China and Ammunition looted from Police Armouries has been used after due modifications; b) Kuki Militants have used “Impact Explosives” attached to Drones; c) Assam Police had seized Intelligent Flight Batteries and other Drone Parts from Supply Agents and Associates of Kuki-Zo and the Meitei; d) Highly trained Kuki Zo Chin Militants have Regrouped in Hills surrounding Imphal Valley, meticulously targeting vulnerable Meitei villages in the foothills to further their Exclusive Pan Ethnic Agenda; e) Since the end of January, 24. Security Forces have shot down at least 38 Drones on Hills and in Valleys of Manipur which must have been analysed to determine its origin and a SWOT carried out accordingly.
In any case; Drones used by Kukis are Technically very Advanced and Superior than those used by Pakistan to transport Drugs/Weapons across Borders in Punjab, Rajasthan and Kashmir. Their Flying Endurance and Capability to gain height is markedly superior to Drones used by Pakistan. Most probably; Explosives used by Kuki Militants are home made Improvised Explosive Devices with Impact Fuse. This type of Fuse gets activated and explodes the Bomb on hitting the Target. Use of Digital Detoneters by Kuki Militants is not possible as it is unlikely that they are in possession of such Advanced Technology. On second thought; Kuki Militants could/might have used a Proximity Fuse with a Timer which is activated on preset time by Kuki Militants. But this too is unlikely as Drones launched by Kuki Militants fly at considerable Heights. Proximity Fuse takes about 30-45 seconds to get activated. An IED, attached to a Drone flying High and getting Dropped Above Target would take longer than 45 seconds to reach the Target and hence explode mid air.
Till 01 September,24, both Kuki and Meitei Militants were using Drones only for mutual and Security Forces Surveillance. As per Security Forces; some of the Drones, out of 38 shot down by them, are pretty expensive. These particular Drones were flying more than 400 feet above ground level/high in the air. Usually; Drones carrying contrabands on Indo Pak Borders fly at 25-35 feet. A lever that usually holds contraband payloads is moved by clicking a button on Remote Control. Kukis attacking Meities Have Not Used this Simple Technology for dropping their IEDs. What they have used is Under Investigation/Scrutiny. Even Pakistani Militants had used Drone only once when they Dropped Explosive during a Terror Attack at the Jammu Air Base in June 2021. This is a totally new concept for Indian Troops in their War against Insurgents.
Drones used by Militants in Manipur seem to have a Longer Flight Endurance of More than an Hour and can travel almost 10-15 km. That is why they are expensive. Drones carrying contraband from Pakistan have to fly over the Border Fence which is 15-20 feet high and between villages in Pakistan and India separated by a maximum of Two km. Security Forces in Manipur have Intercepted very many Militant Conversations about Financing of Drone Purchase from China through Myanmar/Bangladesh. Both Kuki and Meitei Militants demand/accept “Crowd Funding” to purchase these Drones. If Tribals are unable/ can not provide Man Power for Militant Cause, Militants Demand/Extract Money from them to buy Drones. Both Tribes buy only Chinese Drones.
A High Level Committee compromising of General Officer Commanding 57 Mountain Division, Additional Director General of Manipur Police, Deputy Director General Assam Rifles and Inspector Generals of both, Central Reserve Police Force and Border Security Force, has been formed under Chairmanship of Director General Police, Manipur on 02 September 24 to; a) Critically study and examine the Type of Drones used by Militants; b) Collect evidence to ascertain specification of Drones used and c) Suggest ways to Effectively Counter such Drones. This team will be assisted by Experts from National Security Guards and IIT Delhi who have been flown to Manipur to Study System Used in Drones to Drop Explosives and Find Ways to deal with this New Challenge.
Present clash between Kukis and Maities, initially thought to be Ethnic, has escalated into something Far Sinister. Use of Drones to Drop Explosives with over Two kg Payloads on Civilians and Weaponized Drones Used to Fire Rockets/ Projectile Bombs over a distance of Five to Eight km is NOT an Ethnic Clash but a Major National Security Challenge. Such Modus Operandi is commonly used by Terror Groups in the Middle East/ Ukraine. A Prompt/Fast and Out of Box Solution to overcome This Menace has to be found to prevent Further Deterioration of Security Situation in Manipur. Drone Gun Tactical is one such weapon to Fight Unmanned Aerial Systems. Anti Drone Gun weighs 7.3 kg and allows suppression of operation of Drones at a distance of up to 2 km by creating interference on the frequencies of 433 MHz, 915 MHz, 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz, which are usually used to Control Drones.
With Immediate Effect; Security Forces have deployed these Anti Drone Systems. Very many additional weapons are being procured by Manipur Police. Combing operations have been intensified, and Social Media is being used to monitor and Identify Instigators. Combing Operations on both Hills and Valley are on, focusing on areas from which Long Range Rockets were fired and Drones Launched. These operations will cover a minimum of 3-5 km radius, forming overlapping circles. Army Helicopters have started conducting Aerial Patrols, and Security Forces have been deployed in vulnerable areas. But; Manipur does not require/seem to have a Military Solution. Hill Tops which are swarmed by Kukis must be cleared at the earliest by Security Forces. Great efforts would be required to bring in reconciliation between Kukis and Maities. Central Government, State Government and All Political Parties will have to rise above Personal Vendetta/Party Level and try to bring in Peace without hindrance of any Personal Ego. It is High Time All Stake Holders think of “Nation First” to save Jewel of India from Impending Ruins.
