Two Assam Rifles Personnel Killed in IED Ambush in Manipur's Ukhrul District

On 2026-07-05, two personnel from the Assam Rifles were killed in a coordinated ambush near Nungshangohong village in Manipur’s Ukhrul district. The attack occurred around 1:30 PM when a security convoy was crossing a bridge, triggering three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by unknown armed individuals. Two IEDs detonated as the convoy passed, followed by sustained gunfire from multiple directions. The victims, Warrant Officer Balwant Singh and Rifleman CM Singh, both from Uttarakhand and serving with the 40th Battalion of Assam Rifles, were critically injured and later pronounced dead despite medical evacuation to a nearby facility.

The incident took place in a region affected by ongoing ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which escalated into widespread violence in May 2023. Since then, over 260 people have been reported killed and more than 60,000 displaced. Although the exact militant group responsible has not been confirmed, security forces believe the attack was pre-planned and carried out by armed elements operating in the area. During the subsequent search and sanitisation operation, one unexploded IED was recovered from the site.

The Manipur government, through Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand, condemned the violence and assured that those responsible would face legal action. Security forces have launched operations to track and neutralise the militants involved. The incident highlights the persistent security challenges in the region, even as peace efforts continue to face obstacles due to deep-rooted ethnic divisions and armed insurgency.