Imphal, July 6 (IANS) At least two Assam Rifles personnel were critically injured after a suspected Naga armed group ambushed a paramilitary force vehicle at Nungshang Kong in Manipur’s Ukhrul district on Monday, officials said.

A senior police official in Imphal said that an Assam Rifles patrol party was reportedly ambushed by unidentified Naga armed assailants near Nungshang Kong bridge, around 16 km east of Ukhrul Police Station, in the afternoon.

According to preliminary reports, at least two personnel sustained very serious injuries in the attack.

An intermittent exchange of fire reportedly continued in the area for several hours, preventing a police team from Ukhrul Police Station from reaching the site.

As a result, the exact details of the incident, including the number of casualties and the identity of the attackers, could not be immediately confirmed.

A police official, quoting local villagers, said that heavy gunfire and repeated explosions continued for nearly two hours in the area, located about 17 km from the Ukhrul district headquarters.

Farmers working in nearby paddy fields fled to safer locations as the firing intensified, while panic gripped the surrounding villages.

Manipur Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh strongly condemned the attack on the Assam Rifles personnel.

In a Facebook post, the Home Minister said that he was “deeply saddened by the unfortunate ambush on the convoy of the 40 Assam Rifles at Nungshang Kong, Ukhrul”.

He said that such incidents only disrupt the peace and harmony that the people of the state collectively aspire to uphold. “My thoughts and prayers are with the injured personnel, and I wish them a speedy and complete recovery. I am confident that the security forces will take all necessary measures to ensure that those responsible are dealt with strictly in accordance with the law. Let us all remain united in our collective commitment to peace, security, and the well-being of Manipur,” Govindas Singh said.

The incident comes amid continued security operations across Manipur, where central and state security forces have been maintaining heightened vigil in both the valley region and hill districts to prevent militant activities and restore normalcy.

–IANS

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