Kuki militants bombard Meitei villages; five hurt

Correspondent/OSR
MOIRANG/IMP, Jul 27:  Heavily armed Kuki militants launched fresh and fierce attacks at multiple locations in Bishnupur district this morning.
Quoting sources, NE Live reports that armed men from the hilltop used drones to bomb the periphery areas. The affected areas include Tronglabi, Kwakta, Terakhongsangbi, Ma-ning, and Phougakchao. Firing began in the early morning today, and a column of the Indian Army also rushed to the spot to control the situation.
At least five persons including one commando personnel sustained injuries in the ensuing gun battles.
Kuki militants launched a fierce attack at Phougakchao Ikhai Awang Leikai from Chingkham Heikol and a nearby Vaiphei village at around 4.30 am.
The combined force of BSF, State Police commandos and village volunteers stationed there retaliated, resulting in an intense gun battle.
Not long after, another group of Kuki militants launched a similar attack at Phougakchao Ikhai Mamang Leikai from Torbung Sabal Leikai and Kangvai.
The Central forces deployed returned the fire, resulting in an exchange of fire.
One personnel of Kumaon Regiment sustained injury in the gunfight.
It is suspected that three Kuki militants too sustained bullet injuries.
In the midst of the gun battle, Kuki militants sneaked into Phougakchao Ikhai Mayai Leikai and burnt down three houses at around 2 pm.
Security forces managed to save the other houses as they opened fire and drove back the Kuki militants.      
At around 7.30 am, Kuki militants opened another front at Terakhongshangbi Maning Leikai and Tronglaobi Makha Leikai.
Apart from automatic rifles, the Kuki militants fired mortar shells and lathod bombs.
State forces and village volunteers retaliated.
A farm belonging to one Salam Jiteshor located to the western side of Terakhongshangbi  was also burnt down by Kuki militants in the course of the gun battles.
The Kuki militants’ offensive which began early this morning was going on till the time of filing this report.
All the five victims suffered blast injuries and they have been evacuated to Raj Medicity and District Hospital, Bishnupur.
According to family members who brought the injured village volunteers to Raj Medicity, heavily armed Kuki militants came down from the nearby hills and fired innumerable numbers of mortars and bombs at Phougakchao Ikhai Awang Makha Leikai and Terakhongshangbi indiscriminately toward Meitei civilians.
During the indiscriminate firing, one village volunteer sustained injury and was evacuated to Raj Medicity.
His condition is said to be stable.
The attack by Kuki militants using mortars and bombs continued at regular intervals.
At around 1 pm and 1.30 pm, two persons including one village volunteer and a commando personnel identified as Nameirakpam Ibomcha (40) of Keinou Thongkha sustained splinter injuries in a mortar blast at Phougakchao Ikhai.
He sustained injuries on the right ear and left leg.
The village volunteer who sustained blast injuries on left hand and chest was also evacuated to Raj Medicity.
Later at around 3 pm, two other persons sustained injuries on their heels and knees due to mortar attacks by Kuki militants at Phougakchao Ikhai area.
They are undergoing treatment at District Hospital Bishnupur.
Sources said that firing was still going on between security personnel and Kuki militants in the said area till the time of filing this report.
On the other hand, the 18 year old youth who sustained injury on his head after a bomb attack by Kuki militants in the intervening night of July 25 and July 26 is undergoing treatment in critical condition in Raj Medicity ICU ward.
18 years old Longjam Naocha was brought to Raj medicity in the wee hours yesterday and an operation was done at Raj Medicity.
He is being kept on ventilation since yesterday afternoon.    
On the other hand, Kuki militants opened several rounds of fire toward Koutruk and Phayeng Makha Leikai from the surrounding hills.
According to information culled from the spot, Kuki militants started firing toward Koutruk from their bunkers built at Haraothel at around 6.37 pm.
The Kuki militants ceased firing after about 15 minutes when village volunteers and security forces fired back.
Earlier, Kuki militants opened fire at the hills of Phayeng Makha Leikai Chingthak at around 1 pm.
The firing ceased after a few rounds, sources said.      
Meanwhile, Kuki militants and BSF troops were engaged in an exchange of fire at Yaingangpokpi, Imphal East district today.
On learning about construction of bunkers by Kuki militants at Monomphai, close to Yaingangpokpi, some people informed BSF troops stationed in the area about the disturbing development.  
As BSF troops tried to verify the report and scanned the area using binoculars, they came under attack from Kuki militants.
Although the BSF troops retaliated, there was no report of any casualty.