Imphal: BSF Jawan attained veergati in trouble-hit Manipur on April 10. As per police sources, a BSF team came under heavy fire from militants in Ukhrul district. BSF paid homage to Constable Mithun Mandal from Bhagjan Tola village, West Bengal, who was martyred today after militants opened unprovoked fire on him during duty in the Litan area of Ukhrul district.
The jawan, serving with A Company of the 170 Battalion, Border Security Force, succumbed to his bullet injuries around 6:00 PM at RIMS Hospital, Imphal, despite medical efforts. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand strongly condemned the attack at Mongkot Chepu. Paying homage to the martyr Mandal, the CM said, “ his unwavering courage and dedication and supreme sacrifice will always be remembered with the highest honour,” He extended condolences to the family and affirmed the state’s commitment to peace and justice. Security forces have launched search operations and area domination in Ukhrul to nab the attackers after the ambush.
Meanwhile, security forces are continuously conducting combat operations against militant groups in the state. In related operations, troops recovered a major arms haul from Taijang village forest under Chakpikarong police station in Chandel district. The cache included one AK-47 rifle, one MP-5 rifle with a magazine, four country-made carbine guns with magazines, three country-made single-barrel bolt-action rifles (SBBLs), four lathos guns, seven pompey mortars, five pompey shells, 4 kg of suspected IED-making material, 26 rounds of assorted ammunition, and five Baofeng walkie-talkie sets.
Chandel operations continue alongside ongoing searches in fringe areas across districts, which have yielded more arms, ammunition, and explosives. In Churachandpur district, security forces arrested two suspects at T Bangla Mobile Vehicle Check Post: Letjakai Haokip (32) of Sarang Tampak, Chandel (A/P Thingkangphai, Churachandpur), and Lunkhohao Haokip (40) of Tuisomjang village. Seizures from their possession included a modified carbine, a 9 mm pistol, 1,800 kg of poppy seeds in 36 sacks, two vehicles (NL01 AF-6831 and MZ01 AC-9716), and two mobile phones. Amid these actions, 253 vehicles carrying essential goods moved safely along NH-37 under strict security, with convoys deployed on sensitive stretches. Security sources indicate intensified patrols aim to curb militancy and illicit activities in vulnerable border zones. It should be mentioned that the situation in Manipur became tense after the killing of two minors in Bishnupur district in a mortar attack by Kuki militants. Three militants suspected of being involved in the attack were arrested by security forces.
