Curious case of Manipur drone bombings Findings differ as probe continues

New Delhi, Oct 5
While Manipur struggles to restore peace, the curious case of drone bombings in Imphal West has become more complicated. Sources indicate that while the Manipur Police’s account of the drone bombings relies on eyewitness, evidences recovered from the spot, the Indian Army is primarily relying on technology. The matter has been transferred to the NIA for a dedicated investigation.
As the investigation continues, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi this week stated that the notion of drone bombings is a “wrong narrative,” asserting that when the Army conducted ground checks, no evidence of drone bombs was found. This official comment from the Chief of Army Staff follows claims by the former DG of the Assam Rifles that no drones dropped bombs.
News18 sent a detailed query to the Indian Army on Thursday, and a response is awaited. Meanwhile, the initial investigating agency, the Manipur Police, has repeatedly asserted that drones dropped bombs, with eyewitnesses– including personnel from the CRPF and BSF–reporting these incidents on September 1 and 2. Additionally, some individuals were injured during the bombings.
Manipur Police officials stated that two senior officers, including one of IG rank, witnessed the drone bombings after receiving information about the incidents.
Who said what
In its official statement, the Manipur Police described the drone bombings as unprecedented.
“In an unprecedented attack in Koutruk, Imphal West, alleged Kuki militants have deployed numerous RPGs using high-tech drones. While drone bombs are commonly used in general warfare, this recent deployment to target security forces and civilians marks a significant escalation,” the Manipur Police stated. They also suggested that the involvement of highly trained professionals with technical expertise cannot be ruled out. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and the police are prepared to respond to any contingencies that may arise.
On the other side, speaking at the second edition of the Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2024, General Dwivedi addressed controversial issues related to the violence in Manipur. The Army Chief denied the use of weaponized drones to drop bombs on civilians, calling the allegations a “false narrative.”
“There was a narrative of drones dropping bombs. We conducted ground checks and found no evidence of drone bombings. There was also another erroneous claim that 900 anti-National elements had infiltrated. We found no such evidence. If we can control these false narratives, I believe things will improve,” General Dwivedi said.
Earlier, former DG of the Assam Rifles PC Nair stated in a TV interview that no drone bombings occurred in Manipur, labeling it a false narrative. He claimed to have verified this with officers on the ground and quoted the Army Chief, who confirmed that no bombs were dropped from drones.
In response, IG Operations of the Manipur Police, IK Muivah, termed Nair’s comments “unfortunate, misleading, misguiding, and poorly judged, demonstrating a lack of understanding.” The IG added, “We have clarified our position through official media channels regarding the drone bombings, and we stand by it.”
Who is relying on what?
While the Manipur Police rely on eyewitness accounts, these will also be recorded by the NIA. Officials claim multiple eyewitnesses from the local community, CRPF, BSF, and the Manipur Police have provided accounts, and primary evidence recovered from the scene is currently under investigation by the NIA.
“We received a call about an attack in Koutruk. When the police learned that a machine worth over Rs 4 crore had been burned, high-ranking officers, including the IG, went to the scene to maintain law and order. The officers witnessed the drone bombings. Importantly, drones dropped bombs again the following day, which were also observed by CRPF and BSF officials. We have collected irrefutable eyewitness accounts, evidences which will be the part of the NIA probe,” a senior Manipur Government official told News18. Officials noted that while those who died in the incident sustained bullet injuries, some individuals, including women, were injured in the drone bombings.
However, sources within the Indian Army have stated that they have systems deployed in the area where the drones were allegedly seen.
“We have systems in place, and on September 1, those systems did not record any drone movement in that area. It is unlikely that the systems failed to detect multiple drone movements over several hours. Moreover, officers on the ground reported no evidence of drone bombings,” a senior Indian Army official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said.