Imphal, September 1

Two persons, including a woman, were killed and nine others hurt when suspected militants launched a gun-and-bomb attack in Manipur’s Imphal West district on Sunday, the police said.

Militants fired indiscriminately from hilltop positions towards the low-lying valley areas of Koutruk and neighbouring Kadangband killing two persons and injuring nine others. Several houses were also damaged due to heavy shelling by the militants, they added.

Of the nine injured, five sustained bullet wounds, while the others suffered splinter injuries from bomb explosions, hospital officials said. The sudden assault on the unsuspecting village caused widespread panic, forcing many residents, including women, children and the elderly, to flee to safer areas, the police added.

The body of the deceased woman, identified as 31-year-old Ngangbam Surbala Devi, has been taken to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) for post-mortem examination. The identity of the other victim is yet to be ascertained, the police said.