Two people were killed in the gunfight that broke out near Koutruk in Kangchup region in Manipur's Imphal West district, said the officials on Sunday.
The suspected Kuki militants opened indiscriminate fire from hilltop positions towards the low-lying area of Koutruk and neighbouring Kadangband killing two people and injuring nine others, said Manipur police. Among the deceased was a woman while the identity of the other person was yet to be ascertained.
The body of the deceased woman, identified as Ngangbam Surbala Devi (31) was taken to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences for post-mortem examination.
Among the nine people injured, five sustained bullet injuries, while the others suffered splinter wounds due to the bomb explosion, said the hospital officials.
The sudden assault against an unsuspecting village triggered widespread panic, forcing many residents including women, children, and the elderly, to flee to safer areas, police added.
State and central units of the security forces have been deployed in the area to stabilise the situation and the state government strongly condemned the attack.
In a statement, the Home Department said: "The state government has learnt about the unfortunate incident of attack on unarmed Koutruk villagers using drone, bombs and sophisticated weapons reportedly by Kuki militants causing the death of two persons including one woman. Such act of terrorising upon unarmed villagers is viewed very seriously by the state government when it is putting all possible efforts towards bringing normalcy and peace in the state."
The Home Department said that the state government has taken immediate action to control the situation and to punish those who were involved in the attack on Koutruk Village, Imphal West.
The DGP has also instructed all SPs to remain on maximum alert in all fringe areas.
(With inputs from agencies)