Two brothers allegedly linked to the proscribed National Revolutionary Front Manipur (NRFM) have been arrested in Imphal East over their suspected involvement in firing at CRPF and SSB personnel, police said on Wednesday, even as a fresh militant attack was reported in Kangpokpi district.

Sheleibam Tomtin Meitei, 27 and his brother Sheleibam Jagatshyam Meitei, 35, were apprehended from Kongpal Kongkham on Tuesday following intelligence inputs, according to police.

Police alleged that the two were involved in firing at SSB personnel at Lamlong Bazar on August 22 and at CRPF personnel deployed at Khonghampat on September 10.

Their father, Sheleibam Yaima, had earlier been arrested in connection with the attack on CRPF personnel at Khonghampat, police said.

AK-47, pistol recovered from arrested brothers

An AK-47 rifle along with 43 live rounds and a 9 mm pistol with three live rounds were recovered from the two men, police said.

The arrests came as security concerns remained high in the state, with another militant attack reported in Kangpokpi district on Tuesday night.

Militants attack Naga village in Kangpokpi

A large group of suspected militants armed with sophisticated weapons attacked Chawangkining Naga village in Kangpokpi at around 10.30 pm on Tuesday, officials said.

The attack came hours after two Kuki women were gunned down at Leisangphai in Tamenglong district.

CRPF personnel deployed near the village retaliated after the attack began. According to an official, intermittent firing continued for nearly six hours, lasting until around 4.30 am on Wednesday.

The security forces' response prevented the attackers from entering the village, the official said. However, two wooden houses located on the outskirts of the village were burnt down.

Villager Daniel Charenamai said the attack began at around 10.30 pm and that firing continued until about 4 am. He said CRPF personnel stationed in the village returned fire and prevented the village from being overrun.

With PTI inputs