Guwahati: The Assam Rifles paid tribute on Friday to two of its jawans who were killed in a terrorist attack in Bishnupur, Manipur. Security officials confirmed that two personnel, including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), lost their lives, and five others were injured in the ambush.

"Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera, AVSM, SM, Director General Assam Rifles & All Ranks of Assam Rifles pay solemn tribute to Nb Sub Shyam Gurung & Rfn Ranjit Singh Kashyap who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in Manipur today and offer deep condolences to the families of our Brave Soldiers," Assam Rifles wrote on social media platform 'X'.

The attack took place around 5:50 pm on September 19, when unidentified terrorists ambushed a vehicle column of the 33 Assam Rifles unit moving along National Highway 2 in the densely populated area of Nambol Sabal Leikai. The unit came under unprovoked automatic gunfire during the darkness, resulting in casualties. The injured were rushed to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Hospital in Imphal and are reported to be stable. Authorities have launched search operations, but no group has claimed responsibility yet.

Manipur has been grappling with ethnic violence since May 3, 2023, which has displaced thousands from the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. Earlier this month, following meetings in New Delhi, the Kuki-Zo Council decided to reopen National Highway 2 (NH-2) to allow free movement of people and essential goods.

"Kuki-Zo Council has given a commitment to cooperate with security forces deployed by the Government of India to maintain peace along NH-2," the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement.

NH-2 is a critical route connecting Manipur with Nagaland and other northeastern states. Its reopening is viewed as a confidence-building measure to alleviate hardships for displaced families and civilians in relief camps.

The MHA also reported that a tripartite meeting was held on September 4 in New Delhi, involving officials from the ministry, the Manipur government, and representatives from the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People's Front (UPF).

"The meeting concluded with the signing of a tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement on re-negotiated terms and conditions (ground rules) to be effective from the day of signing of the Agreement for a period of one year," the ministry stated.

The revised terms aim to safeguard Manipur's territorial integrity and pursue negotiated peace. The KNO and UPF agreed to relocate seven camps from conflict-prone areas, reduce camp numbers, transfer weapons to nearby CRPF and BSF camps, and conduct strict verification of cadres to exclude any foreign nationals.

A joint monitoring group, as per the MHA, "will oversee the enforcement of the new ground rules, adding that violations will be dealt with firmly, including a possible review of the SoO agreement."

With inputs from ANI