Former CM Biren Singh visits injured Assam Rifles personnel, condemns attack as ‘cruel blow’

Imphal: Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday visited the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal to meet five Assam Rifles personnel injured in a deadly ambush in Bishnupur district. The terrorist attack claimed the lives of two personnel, including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), and left several others wounded.

The ambush took place around 5:50 p.m. on September 19, when a vehicle-based column of the 33 Assam Rifles was moving through the heavily populated Nambol Sabal Leikai area along National Highway 2.

According to a statement by Defence PRO Guwahati, the troops came under unprovoked automatic weapon fire in an area that had previously been denotified under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

"On 19 September 2025, at around 5:50 pm, a vehicle-based column of troops of the 33 Assam Rifles unit was moving on National Highway 2 during hours of darkness in heavy built-up area. In general area, Nambol Sabal Leikai, the column was ambushed by unidentified terrorists on the Highway, in the denotified area of Manipur. In the ensuing action, two personnel of Assam Rifles were martyred, and five are injured who have since been evacuated to RIMS and currently stable. As of now, no group has claimed responsibility. Search operations are ongoing to eliminate the terrorists involved in the incident," the statement read.

Officials said the injured are in stable condition and receiving treatment at RIMS. Security forces have launched a search operation to track down those responsible, but no group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

Reacting to the incident, former Chief Minister N Biren Singh expressed deep sorrow and called the attack a “cruel blow” to the nation. In a post on social media platform X, he extended condolences to the families of the deceased and demanded the harshest punishment for the perpetrators.

"I am deeply shaken to hear about the ambush on our brave 33 Assam Rifles personnel at Nambol Sabal Leikai. The loss of two jawans and injuries to several others is a cruel blow to us all. My deepest condolences to the families of the fallen and prayers for the quick recovery of the injured. Their courage and sacrifice will remain in our hearts forever. The perpetrators of this heinous crime must face the harshest punishment," Singh wrote.

Senior police officials noted that the ambush occurred “despite all the peace-making processes and efforts to bring normalcy” to the violence-hit state.

Manipur has been grappling with ethnic unrest since May 3, 2023, leading to widespread displacement and loss of life among both Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.