A CRPF soldier was killed, and three others, including a Sub-Inspector from Jiribam Police Station, were injured in an ambush in Manipur’s Jiribam district on Sunday.The security team, consisting of personnel from CRPF’s 20th Battalion and Manipur Police, was en route to Monbung village for a search operation related to a prior shooting incident. Around 9:40 am, unidentified armed assailants launched the attack.
Officials confirmed that a Sub-Inspector from the Manipur police, a state commando, and a CRPF soldier were injured during the exchange of gunfire. The deceased CRPF soldier has been identified as Ajay Kumar Jha, 43, from Bihar.The assailants opened fire on the patrol, leading to a shootout. Photos from the scene show a patrol SUV riddled with bullet holes and a shattered rear windshield, indicating that the police commandos inside were targeted.
Following the ambush, additional security forces from Assam Rifles, Manipur police, BSF, and CRPF were dispatched to the scene to conduct extensive search operations. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh condemned the attack, attributing it to “suspected Kuki militants” in a social media post. He stated, “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 extend my sincere condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased soldier and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”