Eleven suspected militants have been killed in an encounter with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Jiribam area of Manipur, news agency ANI quoted sources as saying.
Two CRPF personnel also sustained injuries during the heavy exchange of fire that happened at Jakurador Karong in the Borobekra sub-division, news agency PTI reported quoting officials.
The encounter broke out after armed militants torched several shops at Jakurador Karong, attacking houses and a nearby CRPF camp, following which the gunfight broke out. According to a report in The Indian Express, the suspected militants carried out attacks using bombs at multiple locations, including Lamtai Khunou and shops at Jukoradhor Karong, starting at around 4 am on Monday. They also began to allegedly chase away Meitei residents in the area.
In a post on X, the Manipur Police said, "Today, 11th November, 2024 at about 3 pm, the CRPF Post located at Jakuradhor and Borobekra Police Station (located nearby), Jiribam District were attacked by armed militants. The security forces retaliated strongly. Due to the attack, one CRPF constable namely Sanjeev Kumar sustained bullet injury and has been evacuated to Silchar Medical College, Assam and is under treatment."
Five civilians are reportedly missing after the encounter. It is not yet clear whether they were kidnapped by the retreating militants or were in hiding after the attack began.
The bodies of those killed were brought to the Borobekra police station, officials said. The condition of one of the two injured CRPF personnel was stated to be serious.
Following the killing of the suspected militants, the Manipur government imposed an indefinite curfew across the entire Jiribam district to prevent potential disturbances and ensure the maintenance of law and order. The Kuki-Zo Council also called for a total shutdown in the hill areas of the state from 5 am to 6 pm on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, a fresh gunfight broke out between two armed groups in Manipur's Imphal West district on Monday evening.
Armed men were firing at the low-lying areas of Koutruk in Imphal West from the hilltops of Kangpokpi district, officials said. "It was being retaliated by armed village volunteers, they added.Elders, women and children were being moved to safer places," officials said. Additional security forces were being sent to the area to control the situation, according to officials.