Naib Subedar Shyam Gurung (L) and Rifleman Ranjit Singh Kashyap. (Photos: Assam Rifles)
Imphal/Dimapur/New Delhi: Two soldiers were killed and five others wounded when militants ambushed an Assam Rifles convoy on National Highway-2 in Manipur’s Bishnupur district on Friday. This marks the first major assault on security forces in the state since July 2024.
The attack occurred at 5.50pm as troops from 33 Assam Rifles were travelling from their Patsoi company operating base in Imphal West to Nambol company operating base in Bishnupur. The convoy came under indiscriminate fire from an estimated four to five militants, who then fled in a white van after the assault.
Naib Subedar Shyam Gurung from Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district and Rifleman Ranjit Singh Kashyap from Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district were killed in the attack. The five injured personnel were immediately evacuated to Regional Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal before being airlifted to Kolkata the following day for advanced treatment.
Attack in ‘secure’ zone
The ambush took place approximately eight kilometres from Imphal Airport in what officials described as a “denotified area” where the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is not in force. The stretch had been considered relatively secure and was the same route used by the prime minister, Narendra Modi, during his recent visit to the state.
Naib Subedar Nongthon, one of the injured personnel, later told reporters that soldiers exercised restraint in their retaliation to avoid civilian casualties, as the attack occurred in a populated area rather than an isolated location.
The timing proved particularly significant as the troops were returning from flood relief operations, highlighting the vulnerability of security forces even during humanitarian missions in the volatile region.
HON’BLE GOVERNOR OF MANIPUR PAYS SOLEMN TRIBUTE TO BRAVEHEARTS MARTYRED IN NAMBOL AMBUSH
— The Assam Rifles (@official_dgar) September 20, 2025
Solemn tributes were paid to Nb Sub Shyam Gurung and Rfn Ranjeet Singh Kashyap who made the supreme sacrifice during an ambush at Nambol Sabal Leikei, Bishnupur, Manipur on 19 September 2025… pic.twitter.com/0w2TrTUOdD
Swift investigation
Within hours of the attack, the governor, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, convened a high-level security meeting at Raj Bhavan, bringing together senior military commanders and police officials. The meeting emphasized coordinated action among security agencies to identify perpetrators and strengthen arrangements in vulnerable areas.
Police detained two suspects on Saturday and recovered a silver-blue van believed used in the attack. The vehicle was found at Mutum Yangbi in Imphal West district, approximately 10 kilometres from the ambush site.
Political response
The Manipur government announced ex-gratia payments of ₹5 lakh each for families of the deceased soldiers and ₹2 lakh each for the wounded personnel. The former chief minister, N Biren Singh, visited injured soldiers at the hospital to assess their condition personally.
Bhalla condemned the attack as a “heinous act of violence” and visited the IGAR (S) headquarters at Mantripukhri to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers. He emphasized that such violence would be met with the strongest resolve to safeguard regional peace and stability.
The incident prompted enhanced security protocols across Manipur, with authorities implementing strengthened arrangements in sensitive areas and intensifying operations along key routes bordering Assam and Nagaland.
Broader context of violence
The September 19 ambush occurred against the backdrop of ongoing ethnic violence that has plagued Manipur since May 2023. The conflict between the predominant Meitei community and Kuki-Zo tribal groups has claimed over 260 lives and displaced more than 60,000 people.
The state has been under president’s rule since February this year, following Singh’s resignation as chief minister. The violence has created a complex operational environment where routine troop movements can quickly turn deadly due to persistent militant activity and simmering ethnic tensions.
This attack marked the first significant assault on security forces since July 14, 2024, when a Central Reserve Police Force jawan was killed, indicating a potential escalation in militant activity.
Community response
Local residents in Nambol staged protests on Saturday, expressing grief and demanding justice. Dressed in traditional mourning attire, protesters held placards condemning the attack, which they said had sown fear in their community.
Peaceful demonstrations and candlelight marches were held across the state, with citizens joining to honour the soldiers’ courage and reaffirm support for security forces. The community response demonstrated public solidarity with the Assam Rifles and condemnation of militant violence.
The disciplined response of security personnel, who showed restraint despite coming under deadly fire, exemplified professional standards maintained by the force even under extreme duress. This restraint, while potentially contributing to casualties, demonstrated their commitment to protecting civilian lives even at great personal risk.
The ambush serves as a stark reminder of ongoing security challenges in Manipur and the continuous threats faced by forces deployed in the region, where routine missions can quickly turn fatal due to the volatile security environment.
