Reported by: Bit Irom
Imphal: A man was killed and his wife injured in a second suspected militant ambush within hours of an earlier attack that claimed three lives and left four others injured across two districts of Manipur, officials said on Thursday.
The latest incident took place around 6:30 pm on Wednesday when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a vehicle carrying Wilson Thanga and his wife near Joujangtek and Nungsai villages in Noney district while they were returning home from Imphal.
Thanga, a resident of Dolang village in Noney district, died on the spot, while his wife sustained injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Officials said the deceased belonged to the Naga community.
The attack came just hours after three leaders of the Thadou Baptist Association were killed in a separate ambush in Kangpokpi district earlier on Wednesday. Noney and Kangpokpi districts share a border.
Security forces have launched cordon and search operations in the area to trace those involved in the latest attack. No militant group has claimed responsibility for either incident so far.
According to a Manipur Police morning bulletin issued on Thursday, unidentified gunmen opened unprovoked fire on two vehicles travelling near Saheibung village under New Keithelmanbi Police Station in Kangpokpi district on May 13. The firing killed three civilians from the Thadou community and injured four others.
The police also stated that security forces are continuing search operations and area domination exercises in fringe and vulnerable areas across the state.
Authorities further said the movement of 221 vehicles carrying essential commodities along National Highway-37 was ensured under security cover. Strict security arrangements have been put in place in vulnerable areas, while security convoys are being provided along sensitive stretches to facilitate safe movement of vehicles.
A total of 113 nakas and checkpoints have been set up across hill and valley districts in Manipur, the police added.