Gunmen target civilian convoy on Imphal-Ukhrul highway in Manipur
A mixed convoy of cargo trucks and passenger vehicles came under automatic weapon fire near the TM Kasom Industrial Estate on Wednesday.
Suspected armed militants launched a coordinated shooting attack on a civilian vehicle convoy along National Highway 202 in Ukhrul district late on Wednesday, according to The Sentinel.
The ambush occurred near the TM Kasom Industrial Estate area at approximately 4:45 PM. A convoy consisting of passenger transport vehicles and commercial cargo trucks was targeted by gunfire that lasted intermittently for nearly an hour.
Passenger Zeinorin Stephen said the shooting started suddenly and that passengers had to hide under seats. Stephen added that the driver sped away when the firing briefly paused.
Commuters alleged that the attack happened after their security escort team had stopped or left near the Litan area. They also claimed that personnel at a nearby Border Security Force (BSF) outpost did not retaliate during the ambush.
A senior Manipur Police official confirmed that a search operation began on Thursday morning. The official stated that teams recovered about 30 empty cartridges from sophisticated firearms at the suspected firing locations.
The official noted there were no reported injuries, casualties, or major damage to the vehicles. Authorities have advised civilians to avoid non-essential travel on the Litan-TM Kasom stretch while security forces conduct combing operations.