Two Assam Rifles personnel were killed and five others injured in an ambush by unidentified terrorists in Manipur’s Bishnupur district on Friday evening (September 19, 2025). The cowardly attack took place around 5:50 pm when a column of the 33 Assam Rifles was moving along National Highway 2 in the Nambol Sabal Leikai area.
In the ensuing action, two personnel of Assam Rifles were martyred and five were injured, who have since been evacuated to RIMS (Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal) and are currently stable, a Defence spokesperson said in a statement.
The vehicle-based column of troops of the 33 Assam Rifles unit was moving on National Highway 2 in the general area, Nambol Sabal Leikai, which is an AFSPA-denotified area, during hours of darkness. The martyred jawans have been identified as Naib Subedar Shyam Gurung and Rifleman Ranjit Singh Kashyap.
Assam Rifles ambush: What happened?
Indian Army’s Eastern Command explained that unidentified terrorists attacked a column in Assam Rifles troops moving in vehicles through a built up area in a brazen act of terrorism in an AFSPA-denotified area. “The column came under unprovoked automatic weapon fire from unidentified terrorists on the Highway,” the unit said.
In the ensuing action, two brave soldiers of Assam Rifles lost their lives, and five were injured. As of now, no group has claimed responsibility. Search operations are ongoing to eliminate the terrorists involved in the incident.
What does the timing tells?
The attack comes less than a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Manipur on September 13, in his first trip to the state since ethnic clashes broke out in May 2023. During his visit, PM Modi had appealed to all groups to “move on the path of peace,” stressing the importance of dialogue, respect and mutual understanding.
He assured that the government was working to establish long-term peace in the troubled region.
Incidentally, the ambush took place at the same route that the prime minister took during his Manipur visit. The ambush, therefore, underscores the continuing volatility in Manipur despite efforts at reconciliation.
Has violence reduced in recent months?
Manipur has seen waves of unrest since May 2023, largely between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. While incidents had reduced in frequency in recent months, the state remains tense. The last major clash occurred on March 8, 2025, when one person was killed and several injured in Kangpokpi during a confrontation between protesters and security forces.
Attacks targeting security forces have also persisted. A year ago, in September 2024, a CRPF jawan was killed and two police personnel injured in an ambush near Jiribam town.
Meanwhile, Governor Ajay Bhalla has strongly condemned the incident, expressing condolences to the families of the martyred soldiers and assuring that “such heinous acts of violence will not be tolerated.” He also reaffirmed that the government would respond with the “strongest resolve to safeguard peace and stability” in Manipur.