One Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan was killed in Manipur's Jiribam district on Sunday morning in a gun attack by suspected militants at Mongbung village, news agency PTI reported.
In the attack, a policeman also sustained injuries and has been admitted to a hospital, police said.
The deceased jawan has been identified as Ajay Kumar Jha, 43, a resident of Bihar.
"He suffered bullet injuries in the head and was declared brought-dead in hospital. The injured policeman is undergoing treatment, but he is out of danger," PTI quoted a police officer as saying.
The attack occurred as the security situation in the northeast state remains grim due to the ongoing ethnic violence, which started more than a year ago in May 2023.
The armed miscreants ambushed a combined team of the 20th Battalion CRPF and state police, which led to the death of the CRPF jawan, India Today reported.
The security team was heading to the Monbung village to carry out a search operation after a firing incident took place on Saturday, the report noted.
Gunshots were reportedly heard in the village on Saturday night, too, he said.
Following the attack, additional security forces from adjacent hill areas have been deployed at the village, another police official said.
The gun attack also damaged a vehicle belonging to security personnel.
Jiribam region in Manipur has been witnessing violent incidents of late. In June, around 70 homes and police outposts were set ablaze amid the ongoing clash between Kuki and Meitei communities.
Governor Anusuiya Uikey Condemns 'Heinous Act Of Violence'
In a post on X, Governor Anusuiya Uikey condemned the “heinous act of violence” and prayed for the jawan who lost his life.
"Governor Miss Anusuiya Uikey is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a brave CRPF soldier in the Jiribam ambush by suspected insurgents. She extends her heartfelt condolences to the soldier's family," the Raj Bhavan said in a post.
"Governor Uikey honors the soldier's courage and dedication to duty, and prays for his soul to rest in peace. She also strongly condemns this heinous act of violence and asserts that such actions will not be tolerated in Manipur," it added.
The post also said that the state is committed to ensuring justice and maintaining peace and security.
CM Biren Singh Denounces Attack
Chief Minister N Biren Singh, too, denounced the attack and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured policeman.
"I strongly condemn the killing of a CRPF personnel in an attack carried out by an armed group, suspected to be Kuki militants, in Jiribam district today."
"His supreme sacrifice in the line of duty shall not go in vain. I further extend my sincere condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased soldier, while praying for the speedy recovery of the ones injured during the attack," Singh stated.
Manipur Police Seize Arms & Ammunition
Meanwhile, Manipur police have seized arms and ammunition from Imphal East and West districts, an official statement noted.
These include an AK 56 rifle, two SLR including a locally made one, one .38 pistol, one .32 pistol, four 9mm pistol, two hand grenades, and 25 round of ammunition.
These arms and ammunitions were seized by security forces during search operations and area domination, which were conducted in Imphal East district's Heingang Ching on Saturday, the statement issued by Manipur Police said.
"Police during an operation at Khuyathong and Nagamapal area of Imphal West district seized one excalibur rifle, 7.62 mm Ar (GHAATAK) and one MA-3, MK-II rifle with ammunition on Friday," it said.
The official statement also mentioned that the Manipur police arrested two persons for their involvement in theft of a vehicle. One .45 pistol and one 9mm pistol along with live ammunition was also seized by the police from their possession in Imphal West district on July 13.